Kittle finished as the second best tight end in the NFL for the second consecutive season
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler continued his series of positional rankings, according to unnamed NFL execs, coaches, and scouts in 2025. George Kittle is coming off a massive extension with the San Francisco 49ers, following another stellar season. At age 31, Kittle put together his most efficient season as a professional and isn’t showing any signs of slowing down.
According to the group of executives, coaches, and scouts polled, Brock Bowers is the number one tight end in the NFL, and the first rookie to ever claim the top spot in the history of the study. Bowers set the NFL rookie record for receptions and receiving yards in 2024 and received 50% of the first-place votes.
Kittle finished second in the poll, but never received a vote lower than fourth, while the lowest vote placed for Bowers was seventh.
Kittle is aging well. He’s coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with a combined 14 touchdowns during that two-year span. Fifty of his 78 catches last season went for a first down. His premier blocking remains unmatched, and he’s still tough to bring down, leading all tight ends with 14.2 yards per catch.
Kittle and quarterback Brock Purdy signed massive contract extensions in tandem this offseason, so they have several years to build upon their chemistry. Kittle caught 83% of Purdy’s targets last year.
“He’s shown that when he’s healthy, he’s the most complete player at the position,” an AFC scout said. “Durability is the only thing that’s really affected that. He embodies San Francisco’s culture, and that’s why they keep paying him.”
A closer look at the overall receiving number is eye-opening.
Bowers: 17 games, 153 targets, 112 receptions, 1,194 yards, 10.7 YPC, 5 TD
Kittle: 15 games, 94 targets, 78 receptions, 1,106 yards, 14.2 YPC, 8 TD
An 88-yard difference on 30-plus catches is a huge difference. Volume is always going to be the point for fans that want Kittle to be utilized more, but the efficiency is incredible. Nearly 60 more targets went Bowers’ way in two more games.
Bowers and Trey McBride are the future of the tight end position, but Kittle still is the best tight end in the present.