Ross

Dwelley

The Falcons also signed Charlie Woerner earlier in the offseason, another former 49ers tight end. Both should serve as primary blockers behind and alongside the electric Kyle Pitts, who should have the best opportunity of his professional career for a true breakout season.

Dwelley’s best chances at offering meaningful fantasy contributions come when George Kittle is sidelined. Through five seasons with the 49ers, Dwelley has served primarily as a backup, catching 43 passes for 506 yards and five touchdowns. He’s managed just seven receptions over the last two seasons.

This only matters for one-game DFS purposes after Dwelley played 28% and 37% of the snaps Weeks 1-2 when George Kittle was sidelined. Dwelley played 7% of the snaps Week 3. Inactive for the 49ers are WR Danny Gray (hip), RB Tyrion Davis-Price (ankle), S Tarvarius Moore, OL Nick Zakelj, LT Trent Williams (ankle), TE Tyler Kroft (knee), and DT Javon Kinlaw (knee).

Kroft drew the start for San Francisco with George Kittle sidelined in Week 2. He was not targeted before going down in the third quarter. Ross Dwelley is the next man up at tight end.

Dwelley, 27, appeared in all 17 games last season, seeing action on 18% of the offensive snaps and 42% of the special teams downs. One of George Kittle’s key backups, Dwelley reeled in just four catches for 51 yards and one touchdown in 2021 after catching 19 balls the previous year.

TE Charlie Woerner got the start over Dwelley with George Kittle on injured reserve. Dwelley can be safely dropped in all formats as it appears he no longer even has contingent value.

Dwelley profiled as a decent tight end waiver add with George Kittle (knee) sidelined. The Niners struggled to move the ball through the air in a driving rain, limiting all San Francisco pass catchers not named Deebo Samuel. Dwelley can be safely dropped this week.

NBC’s Matt Maiocco added that the team believes that Kittle would be dealing with the calf issue all season if he tried to play through it. Placing him on injured reserve knocks him out for three weeks but it should help ensure that the injury doesn’t get worse as the year goes on. Maiocco added that “there’s a good chance” Kittle will be back for the 49ers’ Week 9 matchup with the Cardinals. Ross Dwelley will start for San Francisco while Kittle is sidelined. Dwelley is a viable streaming tight end while Deebo Samuel, with less competition for targets, should continue posting elite numbers until Kittle returns. The star tight end’s absence could give Brandon Aiyuk a path toward a larger role.

Kittle’s Week 4 status is looking far shakier than it did a couple days ago. He wasn’t able to practice Thursday due to calf “soreness.” Shanahan sounded unconcerned with Kittle’s status until his Friday comment. Another DNP for Kittle on Friday and he could be on the wrong side of questionable for Sunday’s game against the Seahawks. Ross Dwelley is likely to serve as the Niners’ primary tight end if Kittle sits against Seattle. Dwelley would be a reasonable streaming option in deeper leagues if Kittle is sidelined.

Woerner, a sixth-round pick last year out of Georgia — the only Niners tight end besides Kittle who was drafted — enters OTAs amid a jumble of tight ends behind the dominant Kittle. Woerner caught a grand total of 34 passes during his time at Georgia, and was used primarily as a blocking tight end. Ross Dwelley has usually functioned as the Niners’ pass-catching tight end when Kittle is sidelined with one of his many injuries. Woerner’s background suggests he wouldn’t take on that role if Kittle once again misses time in 2021.