The 49ers enter the 2024 NFL draft in a familiar uncomfortable spot. They still don’t have a particularly strong backup tight end option behind George Kittle, and they might need to dip into the position again in this year’s draft.
Both Ross Dwelley and Charlie Woerner have been quality reserve TEs during their respective tenures, but neither has ever emerged as a viable pass-catching option that allows the 49ers to turn two-TE sets into the kind of weapon it conceivably could be for them.
Their lack of depth at the position was highlighted in last year’s draft when the 49ers spent a third-round pick on Alabama TE Cameron Latu, and a seventh-round pick on Oklahoma TE Brayden Willis.
Unfortunately for San Francisco there are still massive question marks hanging over both players heading into the 2024 draft. Latu missed the entire season with a knee injury after a rough preseason, and Willis was only active for seven games and contributed mostly on special teams. Neither has done enough to give the 49ers a ton of confidence that they can slot in as regular contributors alongside Kittle.
Those question marks could make the 49ers use another pick at that spot, so it’s not a huge surprise that they’re making the rounds with the TEs at the NFL combine.
Reports from Indianapolis indicate San Francisco has had meetings with at least three players at the position, and we could see more in the months leading up to the draft.