How were 8 tight ends drafted before George Kittle in 2017?

George Kittle was drafted in the fifth round out of Iowa by the 49ers in 2017. He was the ninth tight end selected.

George Kittle has proven to be one of the great draft steals in many years. The San Francisco 49ers selected the tight end from Iowa in the fifth round, 146th overall, in 2017. Eight TEs were chosen before Kittle. How did that work out?

O.J. Howard (first, 19 overall)

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O.J. Howard came out of Alabama to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a big rep and high hopes for the NFC South team. It has not materialized. Howard does have 12 TD catches — the same number as Kittle — but he has far less receptions, 94 for 1,456 yards.