The 49ers added to their tight ends room Monday, signing 2016 Pro Bowl selection Jordan Reed.
Reed, 30, has spent his whole career with Washington since being taken in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Former Washington running back Clinton Portis was retired by the time the team drafted Reed, but he believes the move gives the 49ers a historically talented tandem of tight ends.
"I think your edition (of the offense) with Kittle and Jordan Reed is amazing," Portis said Tuesday morning on "The Morning Show" on 95.7 The Game. "This could possibly be the best tight-end crew of all time."
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With Reed and George Kittle, the 49ers now have two dynamic playmakers at the position. But Reed's concussion history is concerning for many reasons. He didn't even play last year, and hasn't even averaged 11 games played per season in his career. When healthy, however, Reed's a freak athlete.
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Reed had 54 receptions for 558 receiving yards and two touchdowns over 13 games when he last played in 2018. He has averaged 54.8 receptions, 561.8 receiving yards and four touchdowns per season throughout his career.
San Francisco 49ers
“When you have a talented guy who’s hungry to play football, it works out if they can stay healthy," 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Monday. "And Jordan has had some bad luck over the years. I know he’s ready to go. I hope he has some good luck here.
"And if he does, I think it’s going to be a hell of a deal for the Niners and a really good deal for him, also.”
[RELATED: Shanahan expects new 49ers TE Reed to be big contributor]
Shanahan was in his final season as Washington’s offensive coordinator during Reed’s rookie year. He knows just how talented the tight end is, and clearly believes the reward outweighs the risk. However, his health risks should not be ignored.
If Reed and Kittle can stay healthy and be on the field together, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo should be able to pick apart defenses with this duo.