49ers' offseason moves at tight end set to make it fascinating position to watch during training camp

The San Francisco 49ers have, in the eyes of many, the best tight end in football.

Yet it is one of the positions on the 49ers' deep roster that has attracted the most consternation because of the caliber of the options behind George Kittle.

There has been a lot of change to the depth chart this offseason, though, making the tight ends a fascinating position group to watch after veterans report to training camp next week.

When will Kittle return?

Kittle did not practice at OTAs or mandatory minicamp due to offseason core muscle surgery.

However, the All-Pro made it clear he expected to return in time for training camp.

There have obviously been no updates on his progress in his recovery from that surgery during the NFL's dead period, though Kittle looked healthy during the recent 'Tight End University' summit in Nashville.

Until we find out otherwise, the expectation will be that Kittle will return to the practice field immediately when he reports for camp. For Kittle's hopes of getting in 'football shape' as quickly as possible, that needs to be the case

Can Thomas hit the ground running?

The 49ers added some much-needed insurance behind Kittle just before minicamp, signing Logan Thomas to a one-year deal .

Thomas did not practice during the week of practice as he got acclimated to his new team, but it will be interesting to see if he is able to immediately impress in the Shanahan offense given how potentially important he could be.

Coming off a 55-catch season in which he scored four touchdowns, Thomas will theoretically give the Niners a true receiving weapon behind Kittle who can spell San Francisco's starter, provide an imposing pass-catching threat from the slot and fill the void if Kittle does go down injured at any point.

Should he excel right off the bat, there might be less nervousness about Kittle adding more wear and tear to his body in 2024.

Last-chance saloon for Latu

Prior to bringing in Thomas, the 49ers signed Eric Saubert to a one-year contract. Saubert is not the receiving threat Thomas is, but his addition provided San Francisco with another asset in the blocking game whose presence gives the depth chart a much more solid look.

With both Thomas and Saubert having guaranteed money on their contracts, they each seem strong bets to make the roster, putting two draft picks in danger of being cut.

Cameron Latu did not play at all last year as a third-round rookie because of a knee injury. Seventh-rounder Brayden Willis only played sparingly and primarily on special teams.

The 49ers may go with four tight ends on the roster but, if they only go with three, the likelihood is that both Latu and Willis will find themselves on the outside looking in.

Even if they elect to go with a quartet at the position, they face the prospect of cutting a player they took just a year earlier.

For either Latu or Willis to change that, they must have a strong camp, with the former hoping to wash away memories of his struggles at this point last year, when drops were a regular feature of his practices.

Latu's reputation has never recovered and Willis did not do much in 2023 to enhance his. Incredibly, in just their second year in the league, both can consider this year's camp as their last-chance saloon .

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