Week 10 vs. Los Angeles Rams
George Kittle had a fantastic return to action last week against the Cardinals, catching six of eight targets for 101 yards and a touchdown. The 49ers would rather not throw the ball 40 times per game, but Kittle should continue to benefit if they do. He leads all tight ends with at least 100 routes run this year in targets per route. Kittle likes to remind us now and again why he’s considered an elite fantasy option at his position.
This week, Kittle faces a Rams defense that ranks 27th in aFPA to opposing tight ends. In a nice matchup, in a game where the 49ers are likely to fall behind early on, expect another busy day from Kittle. He should be considered an elite option at the tight end position and should be active in all fantasy leagues.
Week 9 vs. Arizona Cardinals
George Kittle may return this week after missing the past three games with an injury. He’s still second on the team in targets, despite only playing four games, so he’s a must-start if he’s active, despite coming off an injury.
If he returns, Kittle will face a Cardinals defense that ranks fourth in aFPA to opposing tight ends. With the targets he gets when he’s in the lineup and his general talent at a position with limited fantasy options, fantasy managers should start him if he plays. That being said, if you do have one of the few legitimate options on your roster, taking a wait-and-see approach isn’t a terrible idea.
Update: Kittle is likely active but on a pitch count today. Half of Kittle is probably still better than most streaming options, but control your expectations for his return.
Week 5 at Arizona Cardinals
George Kittle hasn’t done much this season, including just four catches and 40 yards last week against the Seahawks, but he’s still getting looks. He’s had 20 targets over the past two games and remains a primary focal point of the offense. He’s such a reliable receiving option, it’s hard to think a shift in quarterback would hurt him, so fantasy managers should feel comfortable continuing to start him regardless of whether Jimmy Garoppolo or Trey Lance are under center.
This week, he’ll face a Cardinals defense that ranks third in aFPA to opposing tight ends. That’s a scary matchup, and it has us ranking him just outside our top five for the week, but he’s still worth starting at a very thin position. Watch his status as it gets closer to game-time though. He was nicked up with a calf issue going into the game, and he’s questionable to start next week. Be ready with a backup plan in case he’s a late scratch, but if he’s active, start him.
UPDATE: Kittle is out for at least the next three weeks, so look elsewhere. I wouldn't consider Ross Dwelley a viable option either.
Week 4 vs. Seattle Seahawks
George Kittle didn’t find the end zone last week against the Packers, but he did catch seven balls for 92 yards and was targeted nine times. It was good to see him back to his old self after a slow start to the season. Kittle has a nice rapport with Jimmy Garoppolo and should continue to be a steady option week-to-week.
This week, Kittle faces a struggling Seahawks defense that ranks 25th in aFPA to opposing tight ends. This should be an excellent opportunity for Kittle to build on a nice performance last week, and for him to put up elite fantasy tight end numbers. Start him in all formats.
Week 3 vs. Green Bay Packers
George Kittle has had a quiet start to the season with just eight catches and 95 yards through two weeks, including four for 17 yards last week against the Eagles. At least the targets are there, however, and Kittle should rebound sooner rather than later. He’s one of the most talented tight ends in the game, and you have to think he’ll get back to his previous production levels before long.
This week might be the one. The Packers have given up three touchdowns to the tight end position through two weeks and have injuries to their pass rushers. Expect Kittle to get back on track and to continue to rack up targets. He’s still a must-start, despite the slow beginning to his season, in all formats.
Week 2 at Philadelphia Eagles
George Kittle had a solid four catches on five targets for 78 yards in Week 1 against the Lions. The 49ers got up early on and only threw the ball 25 times, but Kittle still ate enough to provide top-eight fantasy points at the tight end position.
The Eagles were the 26th-ranked defense in aFPA to opposing tight ends last year, but then crushed the Falcons in Week 1. Regardless, Kittle is an every-week starter at tight end, so keep him active. The Eagles are probably worse than they looked against the inept Falcons, and look for Kittle to put up his usual TE1 numbers.
Week 1 at Detroit Lions
George Kittle was another victim to the 49ers’ historically unlucky season, missing eight games with injury. However, when he’s active, he produces. He had 634 yards on 48 receptions in half a season’s work, showing the elite fantasy option he is.
To open the season, Kittle faces a Lions defense that ranked 15th last season in aFPA to opposing tight ends. Even if it was a terrible matchup, however, Kittle should be active in all leagues any time he’s healthy. He should be heavily targeted and once again finish in the top-three among tight ends. Start him.
Fantasy Upside Although George Kittle ranks third in our fantasy rankings, he's number two on Pro Football Focus staffer Ben Linsey's analytics-based rankings. The only thing keeping Kittle from the top spot in Linsey's rankings was an injury-limited 2020 season. "Kittle still imposed his will as both a receiver and blocker when on the field in 2020. The issue was that he was only on the field for eight games, missing significant time with a broken bone in his foot. Since 2018, Kittle is the highest-graded tight end in the NFL (93.4) on the back of the highest receiving grade at the position (93.7) and third-highest run-blocking grade (78.0). Unlike Chiefs' TE Travis Kelce, the majority of his damage comes inline, where Kyle Shanahan does as good of a job as any coach in the NFL at creating mismatches in coverage. Kittle's 1,811 receiving yards when lined up inline since 2018 are over 500 more than any other tight end." Beyond that, in the eight games he was active, Kittle averaged 7.9 targets, 79.3 yards and 15.6 fantasy points. Projected over a full season, Kittle would have finished with 96 catches, 1,284 yards and 250 fantasy points.
Fantasy Downside In most cases, drafting fantasy players coming off an injury-riddled season is cause for concern. And as noted above, Kittle missed eight games with knee and foot injuries in 2020.
2021 Bottom Line While he doesn't historically score as many touchdowns as Kelce, Kittle's penchant for the big play (higher career yards per catch than Kelce) and YAC yardage boost his fantasy value to among the best tight ends in football. Kittle could challenge for the TE top spot with a healthy Jimmy Garoppolo (or dynamic Trey Lance) behind center.
Week 17 vs. Seattle Seahawks
George Kittle surprisingly returned to action last week against the Cardinals, and caught four of five targets for 92 yards. Kittle looked like his usual, dynamic self, and he seems to have a nice connection with fellow Iowa alumni C.J. Beathard, making him a must-start in Week 17, assuming he’s still active.
The Seahawks rank 23rd in aFPA to opposing tight ends, so it should be another great game for Kittle. Additionally, with Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel both set to miss the final game of the season, Beathard may have very few targets to work with. Start Kittle.
Week 16 at Arizona Cardinals
For some idiotic reason, the 49ers are putting their star TE at risk in a meaningless Week 16 game. With the problems at the position, even if Kittle is on a pitch count, he's still worth starting at designated TE spots. I'd be nervous putting him as a high-end flex though, given Kyle Shanahan's expectation to limit his snaps.
