DECEMBER 6: Going further here, Barrows indicates the 49ers are one of the most interested Ertz suitors. Connected to a potential Eagles reunion, Ertz would fit in as a Kittle backup/tandem partner in San Francisco. Dwelley is set to miss time and could land on IR, per Barrows. Ertz may wait another week to decide where he wants to land, while hoping a better offer emerges. But it appears the 49ers are firmly in the mix for a proven skill-position player to join Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk.
DECEMBER 4: It sounds like a new suitor could be emerging in the Zach Ertz sweepstakes. When asked about the 49ers interest in the free agent tight end, coach Kyle Shanahan indicated that GM John Lynch has looked into a potential signing. On the flip side, Shanahan also acknowledged that he doesn’t expect a deal to materialize.
“I haven’t heard anything now, so I don’t think so at this time,” Shanahan said of a potential Ertz signing (via Matt Barrows of The Athletic). “But I have a lot of respect for him as a player. I’ve always been a fan…But right now, at least from my standpoint, we’re good with our (TE) group. But we have injuries and things change. So we’ll look into all options as always.”
As Shanahan hinted, the 49ers could use some additional depth at the position. As Barrows passes along, Ross Dwelley is currently dealing with a high ankle sprain and is expected to miss multiple weeks. This isn’t the end of the world for San Francisco’s tight ends depth chart, as Charlie Woerner is the clear TE2 behind George Kittle. Still, the injury opens a spot, and it remains to be seen if the 49ers would prefer a veteran or someone like practice squad TE Jake Tonges.
Elsewhere, the Ravens and coach John Harbaugh appear to be distancing themselves from the free agent tight end. As Harbaugh noted today, the team still isn’t counting out Mark Andrews for an eventual return, meaning the Ravens could be fine at the position come playoffs.
“Any time a great player is out there, you look at it,” Harbaugh told reporters (via Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic). “But I would say this: we like our TEs. We really like our guys. I’m not ruling out Mark Andrews for down the road. … I think right now, we’ll just roll with those guys.”
As of this afternoon, Ertz was still taking his time evaluating all of his options (per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler). It shouldn’t take long for the veteran to find his next landing spot, and it sounds like there are plenty of squads still in the running.
Ertz can’t block, or even play currently. He’s not going to the niners unless it’s as te3
Ravens Or Back With Eagles
49ers aren’t signing Ertz. The main thing they need their backup tight ends to do is block and occasionally pass.
They also can just give Kyle Jusczcyk more snaps as a TE, when he’s not being used as their fullback.
Not to mention, Charlie Woerner has proven to be one of the best blocking tight ends in the league, so there is really no use for Ertz at the moment.
I am sure Ertz wants to compete for a title, but I also know he doesn’t want to mainly sit the bench, nor primarily be used as a blocker when he does see the field…
Eagles or Baktimore without Andrews make more sense imo. Then again, I’m not familiar enough with Baltimore’s TE room, so they may be okay as well.
Well, you should introduce yourself. They are a pretty good group.
That’s what I recall from the little bit I do know about them.
Now, I do know Todd Monken knows how to use his TEs very well, so he’s capable of maximizing his guy’s talents.
They don’t need their “TE2” to block if Kittle is blocking. The 49ers have long had interest in adding a receiving threat at TE regardless of their blocking ability because it would allow them to utilize Kittle more often as a blocker. They’d rather have Purdy hit someone 30yrs downfield after 6 seconds than have Kittle break 2-3 tackles for 15 yards after Purdy had 3 seconds in the pocket.
I wouldn’t be surprised if they went for a TE in the 2nd round this upcoming draft. If there’s a 6’3-6’6 guy that can catch the ball, run, and is at least average as a blocker, they’ll take it just so Kittle can be implemented in more block & release plays & in the backfield, especially with Jauan Jennings likes departing in FA, they’ll need more size/red zone target types.
Ideally, they get another Kittle-type in a guy that is a great blocker & receiver that allows Kittle to be more of a 65% FB, 35% TE2/block & release type TE, and let Juice retire as he isn’t the same player he was when they signed him originally.
Kittle would be a pro bowler into his late 30’s if he’s listed as a FB, and I’d be terrified as a nickel/edge guy if Kittle is the lead blocker that gets a running start.
If they want Kittle to be one of those guys that plays until he’s 37, they’ll reduce the need for him to catch balls over the middle or break 4 tackles to score. Right now, he’s their biggest receiver, so they still require him to do that, but 2yrs from now? If he’s in the same role, he might not be playing more than 10 games.
If they had signed Dalton Schultz or Gerald Everett last offseason, their run game would be much better strictly because Kittle wouldn’t be off running a decoy route nearly as often, and he’d be an extra offensive tackle on every play.
Kittle isn’t getting faster, so it’s smarter to focus on adding a player that can be a receiving threat and continue to get the best out of Kittle by having him do what he does best, which is blocking.
Now, I’m not saying “Kittle shouldn’t be getting more than 200 receiving yards!” But It would make the offense, Kittle’s life & Purdy’s life easier if they had a 6’4/240lb receiving TE to take the heat off Kittle, Deebo, & Aiyuk over the middle. Jordan Reed wasn’t a great blocker either, but in his limited time on the field for SF, he proved that Shanny’s offense is best when Kittle becomes a block first/block & release/ check-down type of TE while still having a 6’3-6’5/230-250lb receiver running routes.
Honestly, the 49ers would be undefeated if they drafted Kyle Pitts instead of Trey Lance, as Pitts would be the red zone target & Kittle would be the gritty down & dirty TE. He is best for the team when he is closest to the QB/RB, and when he’s 10-30yrs downfield without the ball, he’s just as useful as any other WR. A FB wheel route, curl route, or “block for 3 seconds then run an out route” approach would provide Purdy with an extra 2-3 seconds every play, and that would allow routes to develop so your 6’5 TE wouldn’t have to be a YAC master to advance the ball.
There’s levels to this. Jennings is who they had hoped would add aJordan Reed element to the offense but it hasn’t worked. Don’t assume just because Ertz is a TE and he’s not as good as Kittle means he’d be TE2 on every play he’s on. More likely would be that he’s the route runner & Kittle’s the blocking TE on the 30% of plays Shanny would even have both of them on the field. And don’t forget, the 49ers have better blockers around Ertz, & better schemes that make their blockers more successful. It’s much more difficult to be seen as a good OL guy if you’re surrounded by other OL guys that can’t block.
Yeah, I already came around to the idea of adding Ertz the more I thought deeper into it.
Although, I’d argue Jennings is EXACTLY what they wanted and MORE when they drafted him in the SEVENTH ROUND. He’s become one of the best 3rd Down guys when he’s targeted, and he’s an impact blocker. It’s a success if a 7th round guy even makes your team. The fact that Jennings has become an impact player in Kyle’s offense is a true testament to him, his position coaches, and his scouts abilities to identify late round gems and use their unique strengths to fit their scheme.
Second, the one main constant to Kyle’s offense has always been he wants guys to be able to catch and run. Kittle, Aiyuk, Deebo, CMC, Jennings, Bell, etc. So far, almost everyone they’ve added to their offense has this ability. Ertz isn’t that guy, but, at the same time, they don’t need him to be that guy.
In an ideal world, one of their two TE draftees from last season take a huge step this offseason, and they’re able to take over the role aa their 2nd TE, as they’d be more versatile than Ertz. That said, I don’t really see them making much of a difference from what I’ve seen of Cameron Latu and Brayden Willis thus far. Willis looks more like he could potentially replace Juice, but he still has a ways to go. Cameron Latu left alot to be desired from his performances in the off-season, but he’s still a talented guy and fairly new to the position all together.
So, maybe they get Ertz, and see how he fits. He’d still be an excellent sit and squat guy finding holes in coverage on 3rd Downs, and a threat in the red zone. So, that’s why I’d add him now. Plus, with Ertz, Kittle, Juice, Woerner, and Latu or Willis, whichever makes the team or the PS, they’d have everything they’d need from their FB/TE room
With Kittle, Woerner, and Juice around you’re right they have plenty enough blockers. They even have Jennings, if he’s stays next season, as one of the best blocking, big WRs. Kyle wants his guys to be versatile, and that’s why we have never really seen him target solely a pass catching TE. In a perfect world that’s great, but that’s why they’ve also struggled finding Kittle’s #2
TE’s that can do it all are very rare.
Honestly, if I’m Kyle Shannahan, and Brock Bowers somehow falls into the #10-#15 range I instantly trade up to take him. He’s proven that his scheme can work with replacement level lineman, all except Big Trent Williams. I think their OL has held up pretty well thus far this year, especially considering how little they have tied up into four out of the five spots. Now, what they do need is a better backup to Trent, so when he goes out, they’re still able to effectively run the ball to the left. Their average run to the left went down by roughly FIVE YARDS per play when Trent missed time. That’s unacceptable, but you can find an adequate OT prospect, who’s skills fit your system, in the second or middle rounds of the draft.
Either way, could you imagine an offense with Kittle, Bowers, CMC, Aiyuk, and Deebo with Purdy making plays?!? It won’t happen, but the options would open so much with another good to even slightly above average pass catching TE, and especially another one that can make guys moss after the catch. Ertz isn’t that guy anymore, but he will still make contested catches, and he still can add value as a threat on pivotal downs. That’s why I’d add him now, but I’d look elsewhere to find someone better suited to what Kyle wants, if we are talking 2024 and beyond. That is especially if it is someone that’s going to be taking targets away from Kittle, Deebo, Aiyuk, and CMC.
Also, they need to just stop drafting in the 3rd Round all together. Lol
Unless Kyle plans to implement more passes out of his 21 personnel grouping, I just can’t see Ertz being content in a 49ers uniform.
With as little as he’d be used, Idk if that would offset his lack of blocking abilities. That is especially when put up against one of the best blocking Tight Ends in the league, Charlie Woerner.
You’d have to use Ertz as a blocker at times; otherwise, anytime a defense would see him in the game they’d instantly know it was a pass…
Then again, I do know I trust Kyle Shannahan and his ability to utilize his weapons to the best of their abilities. So, if they do end up getting Ertz, I’m sure he’ll mix and match he and Woerner enough so it wouldn’t be predictable..
Ertz is certainly more talented than the guy they have on their PS, and it definitely wouldn’t be a bad idea in case anything happens to Kittle.
Plus, it would just be another middle finger to the Eagles..lol Actually, the more I think about it, the more I’m talking myself into liking this move for the 49ers…lol
RIP Ralph Cirella
Niners would be interesting. His scheme fit and play style would fit ravens or chargers offense
SF is trolling Philly now?
Ertz would only be signed for depth since there are still a lot of weeks left.
Surprised he hasn’t signed in Philly yet.
Philly doesn’t have the cap space. My money is on Dallas or Baltimore.