Yep, Kittle-mania continues here at Niners Nation. Yesterday we showed how his legend is being developed by playing with a cracked rib and ended the evening with highlights.
Today we have more news: Kittle has made Pro Football Focus’ 2018 All-Pro team. He’s ahead of tight end Travis Kelce who made the second team. Kittle is the only San Francisco 49er to make the team, but it’s good company to be in across the NFL. Here’s what PFF said about the addition.
What Kittle did with a melange of backup quarterbacks – and as a run blocker – was quite simply one of the best seasons we’ve ever graded from the tight end position. Not only did he break the record for most receiving yards in a season by a tight end, he broke the PFF record for yards after the catch by any position player for a single season. His 873 yards after the catch were 299 more than Kelce.
Kittle made the 2018 Pro Bowl as an alternate behind Zach Ertz in the NFC. A decision that at time could be argued for (due to Ertz getting the single season reception record for tight ends) and against, but now it looks a bit more controversial at season’s end. Ertz didn’t even make PFF’s All-Pro team.
Kittle is coming off some serious momentum from 2018 and it will be interesting to see if his numbers stay consistent or take a dip with Jimmy Garoppolo’s imminent return.