George Kittle – 2021 #3 Dynasty TE
#85 George Kittle, SF
bio:
George Kittle is IDPE’s #3 dynasty TE in 2021. Drafted by San Francisco in the 5th round (#146 overall) out of Iowa in the 2017 draft. Second-team All-Pro in 2018 and first-team All-Pro in 2019.
attributes:
An athletic, versatile 5th-year tight end, he excels as both a blocker and receiver. He plays physically and is especially dangerous after the catch. He has good size and elite athleticism. Kittle has an above-average College Prospect Score (CPS), but it’s a high score for a 5th rounder.
| Age* | Height | Weight | 40 | Vertical | Broad | CPS |
| 27.9 | 6’4″ | 247 | 4.52 | 35.0″ | 11’0″ | 2.3 |
player grades:
Kittle graded as the #4 tight end out of 71 qualified players in 2020, per PFF.com. He had a bit of a down year in 2020 compared to 2018 and 2019, but this was likely due to injuries.
| Year | Overall | Receiving | Rushing |
| 2017 | 65.8 | 67.5 | – |
| 2018 | 89.7 | 90.4 | 63.1 |
| 2019 | 95.0 | 95.0 | 58.4 |
| 2020 | 84.9 | 87.7 | 71.7 |
injury:
He missed a total of 8 games in 2020 due to a foot fracture and MCL sprain and 4 games in 2019 due to an ankle fracture and knee sprain.
receiving:
Kittle was on track for 126 targets (#18 receiver), 96 receptions (#10 receiver), 1268 yards (#9 receiver), and 4 touchdowns (tied for #63 receiver) in 2020 (extrapolated).
| Year | Rec | Yards | TD | TReFP* | Games | ReFP/G** | A4GM*** |
| 2018 | 88 | 1377 | 5 | 212 | 16 | 13.2 | 212 |
| 2019 | 85 | 1053 | 5 | 178 | 14 | 12.7 | 203 |
| 2020 | 48 | 634 | 2 | 100 | 8 | 12.4 | 199 |
**ReFP/G is Receiving Fantasy Points per Game
***A4GM is Adjusted for Games Missed
Note: Fantasy Points based on 1/2 point PPR
He averaged 87 receptions and 1215 yards over 2018 and 2019. Therefore, he has an elite floor for a tight end in fantasy. He has also averaged 5 touchdowns over the same stretch, giving him a high ceiling in fantasy.
strength of schedule:
San Francisco has the 14th most difficult schedule for tight ends in 2021, per PFF. The bye week is Week 6, and the most difficult matchups are Weeks 2, 3, 8, and 10. Miami, Denver, Buffalo, and Indianapolis tight ends currently look like solid complimentary options based on strength of schedule.
contract:
Kittle signed a five-year, $75 mil contract with San Francisco in 2020. San Fran has a potential out in 2023. He does not have much guaranteed in 2025, so he will be a cut candidate. If he plays out his entire contract, he will be an unrestricted free agent in 2026 (Age 33).
summary:
George Kittle is an elite tight end both in real life and in fantasy. His dynasty rank would be higher if not for his growing injury concerns. The physical play that makes him elite also causes him to miss a lot of games.
He will also be playing with a new quarterback in Trey Lance at some point in 2021. Incumbent starter Jimmy Garoppolo likes to target tight ends, while rookie Trey Lance is more of a running QB with questionable accuracy, so this is a bit of a concern. The WR corp is also improving, which could create some additional competition for targets.
If Kittle can stay healthy, expect him to compete for the overall #1 TE in 2021 and dynasty.
