May 15, 2021

There were a lot of stars who had seasons shortened by injury last season. From Julio Jones to Dak Prescott, teams lost their best players and it cost them. The same can be said for the 49ers and George Kittle. In his limited action, we saw why he is a top-three TE in the NFL. Unfortunately, he missed half of the year with an ankle injury before inexplicably returning for the 49ers' final two games of this season. If you somehow made your fantasy semi-final without Kittle, you were rewarded, but otherwise, not great for those who took a second-round shot on him. Don't let last season deter you from going back to the Kittle well in 2021. Whether it's Jimmy Garoppolo or Trey Lance, either QB knows to get Kittle the ball early and often. If it's Jimmy G, we've seen it. If it's Lance, as the cliche goes, a TE is a rookie QB's best friend. There is no better friend to have than Kittle. He can catch the ball. He blocks as well as anyone at the position, and he just seems like an all-around fun dude. The 49ers are poised to make a run again at the NFC title and get back to the Super Bowl. George Kittle is the best player on this team. He will be instrumental in getting them there. Even with last season being lost, he is still clearly in the top tier of the TE position with Travis Kelce and Darren Waller and the only TEs worth early-round selections in fantasy drafts. How early? The second round is still not too early for them. They give you so much of a statistical advantage at the position. In 2020, Kittle averaged 3.4 more ppg than the TE4 and 5.6 more ppg than the TE12. Grab him and be set at the position. Otherwise, wait until late in drafts and pick from a handful of everyone else and hope they salvage weeks for you.--Dominick Petrillo - RotoBaller