How often a player is targeted during a route is also factored into the equation.
"While this ignores whether the target was actually successful," notes Riske, "it still carries a lot of signal for skill because receivers are rarely targeted if they can't get open."
Other calculations were factored into the analysis. You can get a detailed explanation over at Pro Football Focus.
So did any San Francisco 49ers players make the rankings by route? One.
Tight end George Kittle was listed as the best in the NFL at shallow cross routes. The top three players in this category are listed below.
| Player | TAE100 | Adj. YPRR | First-down rate | PFF grade rank |
| George Kittle | 15.5 (1) | 7.0 (1) | 25.2% (1) | 1 |
| Stefon Diggs | 12.6 (3) | 4.8 (3) | 17.0% (3) | 2 |
| Cooper Kupp | 10.9 (4) | 5.7 (2) | 17.3% (2) | 3 |
TAE100: Targets above expectation per 100 routes run
YPRR: Adjusted yards per route run
Wrote Riske: "When you watch the San Francisco 49ers and notice Shanahan dialing up a shallow cross for tight end George Kittle, you can almost bank on the ball getting thrown his way (47% target rate over the last two years) with a successful play happening shortly after (31% first-down rate over the last two years)."
Kittle is entering his fourth year with the 49ers, the team that made him a fifth-round draft pick in 2017. The tight end has earned two Pro Bowl selections, and last season was named a first-team All-Pro. He has recorded 1,000-or-more receiving yards in each of his past two seasons, including setting the NFL record for receiving yards by a tight end in a single season in 2018 with 1,377.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
FOX Sports identifies Arizona State running back as a potential 49ers draft fit
The San Francisco 49ers may use one of their 11 picks in the 2025 NFL Draft to bolster their backfield. Christian McCaffrey, while healthy now, missed 13 games last season due to various injuries. Meanwhile, Jordan Mason, who finished as the team's leading rusher, was traded to... -
Field Yates 2-round mock draft: 49ers focus on the trenches
Field Yates' latest mock draft for ESPN aligns with expectations for the San Francisco 49ers in the early rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft—reinforcing the trenches. The defensive front suffered significant losses this offseason. At the same time, the offensive line could use... -
49ers Named As Potential Trade Destination for All-Pro DE Trey Hendrickson
As higher-profile contract talks continue between the San Francisco 49ers and quarterback Brock Purdy, the team is still putting in plenty of time looking at ways to upgrade their defensive line, which (like the rest of the 49ers' defensive unit) struggled mightily in... -
Two local wideouts among expected attendees at 49ers local pro day
The San Francisco 49ers traded wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders this offseason. Brandon Aiyuk is recovering from ACL and MCL injuries, casting doubt on his availability for Week 1. With Jauan Jennings and rookie Ricky Pearsall currently leading the depth...