Ross Dwelley vs. Charlie Woerner: 49ers Training Camp Battle

Who will win the 49ers competition to be the No. 2 tight end behind George Kittle?

The next few days, I will preview the 49ers’ top training-camp battles for 2020. Previously, I broke down the battle to be the No. 2 running back -- Tevin Coleman versus Jerick McKinnon. Now, I break down the battle to be the No. 2 tight end:

Ross Dwelley versus Charlie Woerner.

Dwelley is the incumbent, and Woerner, the rookie, is the challenger, and perhaps the favorite, too. The 49ers spent a sixth-round draft pick on him. Dwelley was an undrafted free agent in 2018.

Realistically, Dwelley shouldn’t even be on the 49ers. He started his career on the practice squad. And last year, they drafted his replacement, Kaden Smith, in the sixth round. Smith was a blocking tight end at Stanford, so theoretically he was a good fit in the 49ers’ run-first offense.

But blocking tight ends still must get open and catch passes. Otherwise, teams would be better off using a sixth offensive linemen rather than a blocking tight end. In last year’s training camp, Smith struggled to beat man-to-man coverage during the one-on-one pass-catching drills. And Dwelley did not struggle at all.

None of the 49ers safeties could cover Dwelley consistently in the one-on-one drills -- not even starting strong safety Jaquiski Tartt, a terrific player. Dwelley just has a natural ability to get open. He was the No. 1 option in the University of San Diego’s offense, because he’s a good route runner, he has excellent hand-eye coordination and he’s 6’5”. He’s everything you want from a dependable possession receiver.

He also has improved as a blocker. He’s lean for a tight end -- almost a big wide receiver -- which is why no team drafted him. But he has bulked up and improved his blocking since the 49ers signed him. He even played fullback last season when Kyle Juszczyk was injured.

And yet, this year the 49ers spent another sixth-round draft pick on a tight end -- Charlie Woerner. A blocking specialist who seems tough to tackle when he has the ball.

But can he get open in the NFL?

He caught just nine passes last season, and 34 total during four years at Georgia. He doesn’t have much pass-catching experience.

Until Woerner proves he can beat man-to-man coverage in the NFL -- and I have my doubts he can -- then I predict he’ll be a guy who plays on fourth and one, or when the offense has the ball at the goal line. An important player. But not the No. 2 tight end.

That will be Dwelley.

Don’t believe me?

Ask the tight end the 49ers drafted last year. The guy they cut.