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There aren’t many players in the NFL better than 49ers tight end George Kittle. Pro Football Focus had him graded as the best player in the league last season, and he’s quickly risen to the pinnacle of his position after getting selected in the fifth round out of Iowa in the 2017 draft.
He’s stacked up a ton of accolades during his young career, and now he can add the No. 7 spot on the NFL’s top 100 players list that’s voted on by players. It’s the highest ranking ever for a tight end in this annual list.
It’s not a surprise to see San Francisco’s tight end in the top 10 given how impactful he is in games. He’s a dominant pass catcher who hauled in 85 balls for 1,053 yards and five touchdowns in 14 games last season. On top of that, he’s a stellar run blocker who can hold his own in one-on-one situations against defensive ends. Part of the 49ers’ rushing success in the divisional playoffs against the Vikings had to do with his dominance against Minnesota’s Everson Griffen.
Kittle has earned two trips to the Pro Bowl, a First-Team All-Pro nod, and now his peers put him in the top 10 of all players in the league. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him stay there for awhile, too. His skill set in Kyle Shanahan’s offense means he’ll be a productive player as a blocker and receiver for a long time.
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