San Francisco 49ers: Who Is The Answer At Tight End?
By Dan Fappiano
Aug 25, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vance McDonald (89) runs after receiving the ball against the Minnesota Vikings during the third quarter at Candlestick Park. The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Minnesota Vikings 34-14. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
McDonald is another tight end who spent the entire 2014 season with the 49ers. While he might have had an NFL home, he certainly didn’t play like he deserved one.
Entering the league in the second round of the 2013 draft, McDonald has yet to live up to expectations.
McDonald played in 15 games as a rookie, starting four, but only caught eight passes for 119 yards. Those numbers aren’t outstanding, but 2014 was much worse. Playing in only eight games, starting four, McDonald only made two catches for 30 yards. While McDonald managed to catch two passes, he also managed to fumble one of the two.
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Drafting McDonald with the 55th overall pick, the 49ers missed out on other tight ends such as, the Chiefs Travis Kelce, and the Redskins Jordan Reed.
To this point in his career, McDonald has been a bust. This might be his last year to prove to the 49ers that he can be a viable player in their offensive scheme.
McDonald’s roster spot could go either way. He is only getting paid about $700,000 this season, and only about $850,000 next year. That salary isn’t too much, but the numbers have to start showing up for McDonald, or he will no longer be with the 49ers, or perhaps, in the NFL.
Unless McDonald can turn it around, he is not the right option for the 49ers.
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