SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 09: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sidelines against the Denver Broncos in the second half during the NFL Preseason 2025 game at Levi's Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The San Francisco 49ers are heading into draft week with momentum. Key players are returning from injury. New weapons have arrived on offense. A fresh voice is leading the defense. The offseason has been busy, and next Thursday at the 2026 NFL Draft is where it could all culminate.

Central to everything is the health of George Kittle. The 49ers’ franchise tight end tore his right Achilles in January, but the early signs on his recovery have been encouraging. General manager John Lynch has pointed toward the season opener in Melbourne, Australia against the Los Angeles Rams as a ‘hopeful’ return target.

How confident San Francisco feels about that could shape what they do on draft day.

Kittle’s Recovery and What It Means

Kittle recently provided an update on his recovery.

“The rehab is actually pretty straightforward,” Kittle said. “I got off of crutches a couple weeks ago. We’re back on a golf course. Everything’s trending in the right direction. It’s going great.”

Hard to ask for much more than that from a player six months removed from an Achilles tear. The 49ers are not walking into draft week worried about their franchise tight end. They are walking in with a plan.

Jake Tonges proved last season he can hold things down in the meantime. He caught 34 passes for five touchdowns when Kittle missed time, and the 49ers liked it enough to sign him to a new deal. The position is covered either way.

That gives Lynch room to maneuver. With six picks, addressing tight end in this draft could make sense if the value is there. It does not need to be a top priority. But Lynch is not the type to look the other way when the right player falls.

George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers.Getty

Where the Draft Gets Interesting

If Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq is available at No. 27, the 49ers will have a decision worth thinking hard about. His combine showing was exceptional. Elite athleticism for the position, outstanding size, and the versatility to contribute immediately.

Further down the board, Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers offers real Day 2 value. Stanford’s Sam Roush is a local product worth monitoring later in the draft, a player who fits the blocking and receiving profile Shanahan has always valued at the position.

The positive updates on Kittle’s health will also free Lynch to attack other needs with confidence.

New defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is building something. The 49ers may look to add depth to the pass rush. Offensive tackle is another position that fans are pointing towards. The receiver room is in better shape after the arrivals of Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, but Shanahan will always add at the position if the value is there.

Kenyon Sadiq at the NFL Draft Combine.Getty

Final Word for the 49ers

The 49ers are heading into the 2026 NFL draft with optimism. Kittle’s recovery is trending in the right direction. The offense has new weapons. Morris has the defense pointed somewhere meaningful.

Lynch has six picks and a roster that should be close to full strength when the season comes around. The draft is the opportunity to push it further.

If Kittle is ready for Melbourne, the 49ers will look different from the team that limped through the end of last season. The pieces are falling into place.

Next Thursday is when it gets real.