© Kim Klement | 2018 Nov 11
The 49ers are in the market for some insurance.
Specifically at the tight end position, where they’d like a veteran presence behind what is arguably their best player in George Kittle. San Francisco was already linked to TE Austin Hooper, who eventually signed a monster deal with the Cleveland Browns. Now they’ve set their sights on another tight end with a ton of upside, Matt Barrows told Tolbert, Krueger & Brooks on Monday.
“They’re definitely looking at tight ends,” Barrows said. “They were in on Hooper. I don’t know how heavily they were in on him, but they’ve talked about him. They’ve talked to Jordan Reed’s agent about Jordan Reed.
“I know that doesn’t move the needle for a lot of 49ers fans, but the point is they want an upgrade at their No. 2 tight end, and they’ll look in the draft as well.”
Reed is still just 29 years old, but has had a hard time staying on the field in recent years. A preseason concussion, the seventh of his career, knocked him for all of last season. Reed appeared in 13 games with Washington in 2018, catching 54 passes for 558 yards and two touchdowns. He made the Pro Bowl in 2016, catching 87 passes for 952 yards and 11 TDs.
The 49ers currently have just Ross Dwelley and Daniel Helm behind Kittle on the depth chart. San Francisco has also reportedly been looking at tight ends in the upcoming draft, though there is questionable depth at the position according to experts.
Listen below.