49ers coach Kyle Shanahan enjoys him some tight ends.
They are vital to the method he chooses to run his offense. With players that line up on the line of skirmish who can assist in both the run and passing video game, Shanahan is able to camouflage any given play without providing any pre-snap hints to the opposing defense. 49ers tight end George Kittle is the very best example of that sort of player, and clearly, Shanahan has utilized him rather effectively.
Walker formerly played for San Francisco, and Reed played under Shanahan when he was Washingtons offensive coordinator. In both cases, theres a level of familiarity.
The Athletics Matt Barrows reported Wednesday that the 49ers had “soft talks” with complimentary representative Delanie Walker in the spring, pointing out sources. Furthermore, San Francisco has actually “revealed a similar level of interest” in previous Washington Football Team tight end Jordan Reed.
That stated, dont expect the 49ers to sign either of them. They are limited in income cap space, and with Kittle, Ross Dwelley and recently-signed sixth-round choice Charlie Woerner completing the depth chart, there doesnt seem a requirement.
Obviously, Hooper wasnt the only one.
It comes as no surprise that Shanahan places a high worth on the tight end position. That discusses why the 49ers apparently checked out signing Austin Hooper in free firm despite currently having Kittle on the lineup.
The 49ers operated out of 21 workers– a formation with 2 running backs, two large receivers and one tight end– 28 percent of the time last season, which was much more frequent than any other team in the league. San Francisco also made use of 22 personnel– 2 backs, one receiver and 2 tight ends– on 11 percent of its plays; only the Baltimore Ravens ran more plays out of that formation..
[RELATED: Report: Kittle, 49ers still not close on any agreement talks]
Naturally, if Dwelley shows incapable of taking more of a load off Kittles shoulders and/or Woerner has a hard time to adapt to the NFL game, that all could alter.
Until then, nevertheless, expect the 49ers to rely on their internal alternatives.
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