49ers Eager to See What Tight End Trio Can Do in 2018

The 49ers go into 2018 without a superstar tight end. There's no Rob Gronkowski or Travis Kelce on this roster.But what the Niners do have is depth, versatility and potential with a trio of Garrett Celek, George Kittle and Cole Hikutini that could be very good in a second season in Kyle Shanahan's offense and a full offseason with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.In 2017, Kittle had 43 catches as a rookie for 515 yards and two touchdowns. Celek had 21 for 336 yards and four TDs. Hikutini played sparingly as a rookie and added two receptions for 15 yards.When the team gathers this week for a three-day, full-roster, mandatory minicamp, tight ends coach Jon Embree will be excited by what he sees with his group. Recently, he told reporters that Kittle, Celek and Hikutini will give Garoppolo excellent options as red-zone receivers."They all have the opportunity to do it when the opportunity comes," Embree said. "I feel good about that. It's just a matter of when the opportunity comes, making it. But Kittle, certain routes down there, he's going to be better than Garrett. Garrett better than him at certain things and Cole better than both of those guys."That's the unique thing about our...