© George Walker IV / Tennessean.com via Imagn Content Services, LLC
We were about to have the Delanie Walker path come full circle. But it appears it may not be meant to be. Walker, the former 49er who was mostly a fullback and backup tight end in his first six years, went on to become a star and three-time Pro Bowler with the Tennessee Titans. He tried out with the 49ers earlier this week, but it seems the 49ers might be going another route, and it might be for another former Titans tight end.
According to multiple reports, the team will sign MyCole Pruitt.
The #49ers are signing former #Titans tight end MyCole Pruitt, per his agents @NSAFootball.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 2, 2021
If you’re unfamiliar with that name, it’s to be expected. He was largely used as a very effective run blocking tight end in Tennesee’s offense, and was graded as the seventh-best run-blocking tight end in the NFL last year, with a 74.3 grade. Of his 263 snaps, 211 (80.2 percent) were as a blocker. He was graded much worse as a pass blocker in 39 snaps, with a 52.1 grade, which was among the bottom 30 percent of the league.
Ross Dwelley was among the players who graded worst than Pruitt as a pass blocker. Dwelley also ranked terribly as a run blocker, ranking 115th overall with a 51.6 grade (and a 50.0 pass blocking grade). Charlie Woerner, in his rookie season, was even worse as a pass blocker, with a 47.9 grade that ranked 12th-worst in the league. Oh, and Jordan Reed’s 44.9 run blocking grade was 7th-worst.
So, yes, the 49ers could use some depth behind George Kittle in the run blocking department, and Pruitt would be an immediate fit in that respect. Earlier in the offseason, we mentioned Pruitt here as a viable depth option for just that reason.
