George Kittle entered the NFL in 2017 after being selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round with the 146th overall pick. After several years in the league, he’s earned the status of one of the most experienced players on the roster — and recently made a strong statement regarding the new faces arriving from college football.

One of the most talented tight ends in the league understands that at this stage of his career, it’s crucial for younger players to lean on the veterans. Whether it’s for personal advice or insights related to the game itself, having experienced voices in the locker room can make a real difference.

Despite that, the former Iowa Hawkeyes standout admitted he was surprised by the attitude of some of his new teammates regarding the situation — noting that, in some ways, they seem intimidated by his presence on the roster.

“For some reason, rookies are intimidated to ask me questions sometimes, and I feel like I’m a pretty approachable person so that’s disappointing. But you know, some guys will ask me questions. I had a rookie today ask me what was the heaviest I’ve ever been, and I was like, ‘that’s an interesting thing to ask me, but sure,’” he said.

New faces on the 49ers

With the main goal of returning to the league’s top tier, the 49ers made smart use of their picks in the latest draft to build strong support around Brock Purdy and company. Here’s a look at the new faces in the Bay Area:

  • DL Mykel Williams, Georgia
  • DL Alfred Collins, Texas
  • LB Nick Martin, Oklahoma State
  • CB Upton Stout, Western Kentucky
  • DL C.J. West, Indiana
  • WR Jordan Watkins, Ole Miss
  • RB Jordan James, Oregon
  • S Marques Sigle, Kansas State
  • QB Kurtis Rourke, Indiana
  • OL Connor Colby, Iowa
  • WR Junior Bergen, Montana

The first games for San Francisco

If Kyle Shanahan’s team hopes to once again become a true Super Bowl contender, they’ll need to navigate these first five matchups successfully — and from there, look to keep their winning momentum alive.

  • @ Seattle Seahawks, September 7th
  • @ New Orleans Saints, September 14th
  • vs Arizona Cardinals, September 21st
  • vs Jacksonville Jaguars, September 28th
  • @ Los Angeles Rams, October 2nd

SURVEY Can the 49ers reach the Super Bowl next season?

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