George Kittle may have seemingly lost the battle with Travis Kelce for the title of best tight end in the NFL, but the 49ers star is still viewed as having traits that no other player at the position can match.

In an ESPN poll of league executives, coaches, scouts and players ranking the top 10 tight ends in a league, Kittle came in second behind only Chiefs star Kelce.

Last season, Kittle reeled in 11 receiving touchdowns, the four-time Pro Bowler recording a career-high in a season in which he played with three different quarterbacks during the 2022 regular season.

And his ability to build a rapport with both Jimmy Garoppolo and Brock Purdy — he barely had time to develop one with Trey Lance before his Week 2 injury —was part of what saw him garner significant praise in the survey.

A quote from an NFL personnel executive surveyed read:

"So much inconsistency with the quarterback and durability issues have held him back a bit, but he's still top-notch. He's the most explosive athlete at the position, probably the best at creating separation and yards after the catch."

The numbers from last season are reflective of that evaluation of his explosive traits. Kittle, per NextGen Stats, averaged 3.3 yards of separation last season, nearly half a yard more than Kelce (2.9).

He averaged 6.8 yards after catch per reception, well over his expected YAC average of 5.2. Among tight ends, Kittle's YAC over expectation of 1.6 was second only to that of Chigoziem Okonkwo (3.0) of the Titans.

Kittle has battled injury issues over recent seasons, missing 13 games through injury since 2020.

But last season, when he played 15 of the 17 regular-season games, is a reminder of just how influential he can be when he is healthy.

The 49ers possess a host of dynamic offensive weapons. However, while most now believe Kelce has the edge over him for the title of top tight end, he remains perhaps the only player in the NFL who can offer what he brings in the blocking game along with his ability to separate, his YAC upside and his proficiency for developing an understanding with several different quarterbacks.

His apparent mind meld with Purdy was critical to the 49ers down the stretch as they surged to the NFC Championship Game. 

It is far from guaranteed that Purdy will be the Niners' quarterback for the entirety of 2023, meaning Kittle's ability to perform regardless of who is under center will be especially valuable should more injuries at the game's most important position impact an offense that is increasingly seen as quarterback-proof.

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