49ers Eye Iowa Tight End to Prepare for Life After Kittle

Santa Clara, California – As the San Francisco 49ers contemplate their future, they recognize the need to prepare for life after tight end George Kittle. Coming off a stellar season, Kittle will turn 32 years old in October and dealt with a broken rib injury last year.

Despite Kittle’s high level of play, the uncertainty of his longevity has led the 49ers to consider drafting a tight end. NFL commentator Chad Reuter projects that they will select Iowa tight end Luke Lachey with their first fifth-round draft pick this year. Lachey is noted for his ability to play both in-line and as a move tight end, providing versatility to the offense.

However, some analysts point out that Lachey may need refinements in his blocking skills and route running to succeed at the professional level. “He has experience operating underneath and as an intermediate target,” one scout noted. “But unless he proves he can sustain as a run blocker, he may only be a TE3 or TE4.”

Both Lachey and Kittle share a background at Iowa, where they were not heavily utilized in the passing offense, which raises questions about their production in the NFL. Kittle caught just 48 passes over four years at Iowa, while Lachey recorded 74 during five seasons.

The 49ers face a dilemma in considering further depth at the tight end position, especially with Kittle’s health increasingly in question. Some analysts argue that given the depth of the tight end class in the upcoming draft, it may be strategically sound for the team to select Lachey or another prospect to support Kittle and prepare for the future.

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, all eyes will be on the 49ers and their decision regarding Lachey, as they continue to balance the immediate talent of Kittle with the long-term needs of the franchise.