Who Should I Start? Jonnu Smith or George Kittle

Saturday, April 18, 12:16 PM

At 31 years old, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle came into the 2025 season still in the conversation as a top-five dynasty tight end. Six games missed due to a hamstring injury and an unfortunate postseason Achilles tear that now threatens his availability for the start of the 2026 season have pushed him well down the rankings. However, even without the injuries, the emergence of rookie stars Colston Loveland, Tyler Warren, and Harold Fannin Jr. would have already had a hand in shaking up the rankings. The two factors working together may have created a perfect buy-low window for Kittle, who could now be viewed as undervalued as RotoBaller's dynasty TE13. Yes, he will be only eight months removed from his Achilles tear by the time the 49ers next play meaningful football, and he will turn 33 shortly after that, but he has not scored fewer than 10.6 fantasy points per game since his rookie season. For reference, over the past five seasons, the TE13 has averaged 8.0 Half-PPR points per game. While it could, and likely will, take Kittle time to get back up to speed, even 80% of the player he has historically been represents a smart dynasty buy for contenders with the surrounding roster strength to bank on a fantasy playoff appearance.