SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers will report for training camp July 27, with the first practice slated for the following day.
As we head toward the start of camp, we're previewing each position and the competitions that could ensue. Today we look at the tight ends, a position where the Niners have plenty of options; a complete makeover of the depth chart could be in the offing.
On the roster: Logan Paulsen, Vance McDonald, Garrett Celek, Blake Bell, George Kittle, Cole Hikutini
Locked in: Paulsen, Kittle
Battles to watch: It might be a bit presumptuous on my part to declare any of these tight ends as locks, but Niners coach Kyle Shanahan hand-picked Paulsen in free agency and Kittle in the draft. Subsequently, both Paulsen and Kittle got a lot of run with the first-team offense in the spring, an indicator that both factor into the team's plans for 2017.
The truth is that this position comes with plenty of question marks, and there will be a lot of mixing and matching, in terms of who makes the roster and how the depth chart takes shape.
Paulsen likely will have a role as a designated blocker, and he also showed a little better-than-expected receiving ability in the offseason program. He has worked with Shanahan before, and Paulsen's knowledge of the offense puts him ahead of the curve compared with the rest of the competition.
Kittle was a fifth-round pick, which doesn't normally make for a guaranteed roster spot, but he has looked the part of a draft-day steal, and his versatility makes him an ideal candidate to fill the "move" tight end spot in Shanahan's offense. Kittle is a solid and willing blocker and can also create separation as a route runner.
After Paulsen and Kittle, the Niners could have a fierce competition for what likely will be one or two more spots. With fullback Kyle Juszczyk also capable of playing tight end, it seems unlikely the 49ers will carry four tight ends, but it can't be ruled out.
McDonald and Celek are incumbents who offer experience in different forms. McDonald was shopped on the trade market on draft weekend, but he still possesses speed and pass-catching ability. Celek is a solid blocker but is not as much of a receiving threat as McDonald. Both will have to battle to stick around.
Then there's Hikutini. He's an undrafted rookie but was considered one of the prizes among the TEs who weren't selected. He offers more as a receiver and also profiles in that "move" tight end role. Throughout the preseason, he'll get a chance to push for a spot. Meanwhile, Bell likely has an uphill battle to make the roster again.
When all is said and done, the 49ers could have new bodies across the board at tight end. But McDonald and Celek are veterans who won't go quietly in any competition.