NFL Top-100: George Kittle falls in rankings, but still in top-40

It was a down year across the board for the San Francisco 49ers in 2024, meaning that George Kittle and the rest of the faithful will have to reassert themselves in the NFC in order to regain confidence from outsiders.

The NFL is releasing its top-100 player rankings for the 2025 season, and the star tight end has fallen from his top-20 ranking that was revealed just over one year ago.

George Kittle, who was ranked as the 17th-best player in the league during last year’s rankings, comes in at number 31 in this year’s edition of the NFL Top-100.

During the course of his eight-year career, the 31-year-old has been named to six Pro Bowl teams, including four straight heading into the 2025 season.

Kittle has also been named to two First-Team All-Pro rosters and three Second-Team All-Pro lists, including a Second-Team nod during the 2024 season.

NFL Top 100 Players of 2025:@49ers TE George Kittle comes in at No. 31! @NFLFilms pic.twitter.com/6a65lhQZRd

— NFL (@NFL) August 15, 2025

More on 49ers TE George Kittle

2024 stats: 15 games | 78 rec | 1,106 rec yds | 14.2 ypr | 8 rec TD

Players voting on the Top 100 will never amount to exact science. Case in point?

Last season, George Kittle posted his most receptions, best PFF offensive grade (92.3) and best PFF receiving grade (92.4) since 2019. He collected his most receiving yards since 2018 and the second-most touchdown catches of his career. As a result, the six-time Pro Bowler promptly dropped 17 spots. Perhaps that’s due to San Francisco’s down year, but Kittle most certainly did not join the 49ers in the doldrums.

NFL Pro Insight for George Kittle: George Kittle gained 551 yards after the catch last season, second among tight ends behind Brock Bowers (611). Kittle generated 164 yards after the catch over expected, the most by a tight end.

NFL.com’s Bobby Kownack – August 2025

More San Francisco 49ers content from Sactown Sports

The San Francisco 49ers today announced they have acquired RB Brian Robinson Jr. from the Washington Commanders in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2026. In order to make room on the roster, the team has waived WR Malik Knowles.

Brian Robinson Jr. (6-1, 225) was originally drafted by the Commanders in the third round (98th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft. Throughout his three seasons with the Commanders (2022-24), he has appeared in 41 games (37 starts) and registered 570 carries for 2,329 yards (4.1 average) and 15 touchdowns on the ground to go along with 65 receptions for 587 yards (9.0 average) and five touchdowns through the air.

He also stared three postseason contests and added 36 carries for 129 yards and two touchdowns. In 2024, Robinson Jr. appeared in 14 games (13 starts) and totaled 187 carries for 799 yards and eight touchdowns as well as 20 receptions for 159 yards.

A 26-year-old native of Tuscaloosa, AL, Robinson Jr. attended the University of Alabama for five years (2017-21) where he appeared in 66 games and registered 545 carries for 2,704 yards and 29 touchdowns and added 52 receptions for 446 yards and two touchdowns, earning Associated Press Second-Team All-SEC honors in 2021.

Knowles (6-2, 196) originally signed with the San Francisco 49ers on August 20, 2025.

49ers Roster Moves: Robinson move made official, Knowles waived

Upcoming San Francisco 49ers Schedule

• Sunday, September 7th – @ Seattle Seahawks – 1:05 PM PT  *Season opener*
• Sunday, September 14th – @ New Orleans Saints – 10:00 AM PT
• Sunday, September 21st – vs. Arizona Cardinals – 1:25 PM PT
• Sunday, September 28th – vs. Jacksonville Jaguars – 1:05 PM PT
• Thursday, October 2nd – @ Los Angeles Rams – 5:15 PM PT

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