Packers: Stealing one player from each NFC West team

San Francisco 49ers: TE George Kittle

There’s another reason I didn’t take DeAndre Hopkins from Arizona from this division: I had another pass-catcher in mind. San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is the player I would steal from San Francisco. I muddled over the idea of taking Nick Bosa, or even Richard Sherman, but Kittle is just too big and too good to pass up.

The strength, speed, and ability to make plays after the catch is the reason Kittle was my selection here. I’ve watched him terrorize defenses and become an easy out for Jimmy Garoppolo week in and week out, and I think that is something that Aaron Rodgers would benefit from. Having the ability to throw a short out to a monster of a tight end on third down makes Rodgers much more dangerous.

Kittle would be the replacement for Jermichael Finley that the Packers just haven’t consistently had. Richard Rodgers was serviceable, and Jared Cook was a solid year-long deal, but the Packers need someone who can really hurt defenses and be an option on every down. George Kittle is that guy.

Not to mention, Kittle is an outstanding blocker who loves to run block. He would open lanes for Aaron Jones and the other backs who have already been very productive.

For me, stealing Kittle was a no-brainer.