49ers rich in Kittle complements at TE

Now that he’s the highest-paid tight end in NFL history, and generally regarded as the league’s best player at his position, George Kittle and the 49ers see no reason their tight ends can’t achieve the same kind of recognition as a group.

- Craig Massei

Particularly now that Jordan Reed is in town.

Kittle is the featured attraction and headline grabber among San Francisco tight end after earning first-team All-Pro honors last season, then signed a five-year, $75 million contract in August that smashed the NFL pay scale at the position and set a new league standard for tight ends.

But with Reed joining the team, Kittle potentially has an exceptionally strong complementary group of tight ends around him. Reed has big-time playmaking ability as well, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2016 with Washington after a stretch during which he recorded 153 receptions for 1,638 yards and 17 touchdowns over the previous two seasons.

For comparison, Kittle enters this season with 12 career touchdown receptions.

“I think everybody’s aware of Jordan’s ability,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. “When he’s been healthy, he’s played at an extremely high level and he’s been one of the best third-down tight ends in the league. I got to spend a year with him, so I’m familiar with the person and player and what he brings. I know he’s a talented guy who’s very hungry to get back out there and play football.”

Shanahan was Washington’s offensive coordinator during Reed’s rookie season with the Redskins, when Reed produced 45 receptions for 499 yards and three touchdowns in just nine games. Reed would follow that with seasons of 50, 87 and 66 receptions and had 54 catches in 2018 before injuries threatened his career.