Niners Nation
Harold Fannin Jr. set multiple records for tight ends in 2024. He would be the best TE2 the 49ers have had since they drafted George Kittle
NFL Draft insider Tony Pauline reported that former Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr. has four pre-draft meetings set up, and one of those is with the San Francisco 49ers. Fannin Jr. ranks 66th overall on the consensus big board, to give you an idea of where he’s projected to be drafted.
The 49ers have George Kittle at tight end, signed Luke Farrell, but that contract wasn’t as steep as initially thought. Farrell’s base salary over the next three seasons totals $4.2 million.
There are no questions about Fannin Jr. and his production. He led the NCAA in receptions (117) and receiving yards (1,555) in 2024, setting a record for tight ends at the FBS level. He’s a fascinating prospect. Fannin Jr. did not run (4.71 40-yard dash) or jump well, suggesting he’s not an elite-level athlete. But his shuttle times were, and short area quickness matters when it comes to route running.
He’s high-cut, so it looks like he’s stiff, but you can’t argue Fannin Jr.’s ability to get separation and how effective he was in his role at Bowling Green.
Fannin Jr. led all tight ends in PFF grade against man coverage, catching 69 percent of his targets for 13.8 yards per reception and 9.2 yards after the catch. Fourteen of his 18 receptions went for first downs. He also topped the grading scale against zone coverage.
He’d fit the 49ers to perfection. Fannin lived at the intermediate portion of the field, which is the area where Brock Purdy targets the most. But he’s shifty enough to be used on screens at near the line of scrimmage, not to mention being effective down the field. Bowling Green targeted Fannin Jr. on 14 passes over 20 yards. He caught seven of those for 276 yards.
Fannin Jr. also forced 32 missed tackles, which was more than double the number of Tyler Warren from Penn State, who came in second place. Warren had 15 missed tackles on 22 fewer targets.
Bob McGinn asks scouts for their opinions about players. Here’s what they said about Fannin Jr.:
“That guy will be a lightning rod to talk about because he’s not fast. Most of his catches were within eight yards of the line of scrimmage. He catches the snot out of the ball. More than anybody in the class he’s got natural run-after-the-catch instincts. Once he gets the ball in his hands, he’s like a running back in the open field. What’s difficult about him from a draft perspective is he’s not a vertical receiver. For a guy that small, normally those dudes people get excited about run 4.5. It makes you pause a little bit how (high) you’re going to take him. He is not going to get open on his own. He separates by pushing off on guys. A safety will be riding...
