George Kittle continuing historic pace to start career
Despite a couple injuries and some quarterback turmoil, 49ers tight end George Kittle has continued to plug away as one of the most productive tight ends of all-time through his first six years.
Kittle after his 84 yards Monday night is up to 4,913 yards – the sixth-most all-time for a tight end through six seasons. He may not get to No. 1 on the list, but there’s a good chance he winds up close by the end of this year. Here’s the top six:
1. Rob Gronkowski: 5,555
2. Jimmy Graham: 5,357
3. Travis Kelce: 5,236
4. Kellen Winslow, Sr.: 5,176
5. Antonio Gates: 5,066
6. George Kittle: 4,913
This season Kittle is averaging 53 receiving yards per game. With seven games left, that would put him on pace to finish the year 5,284 receiving yards – the third-most all-time through the first six years.
There’s a chance Kittle climbs up to No. 2 on the list past Kelce. Kittle over the last five games has averaged 65 yards per game. If he does that for the final seven, he’d get up to 5,368 yards for second all-time.
Kittle for his career is putting up 65.5 yards per game, so a continuation of the last five weeks for the rest of the season isn’t out of the realm of possibilities.
Getting past Gronkowski would take an unprecedented stretch of games for the 49ers’ TE. Kittle would need 92 yards per game the rest of the way to pass Gronk. His career-high came in his record-setting 2018 season when he put up 86.1 yards per game.
The 49ers would love to see Kittle climb up the list because his involvement in their offense lifts their ceiling considerably.
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