49ers: Garrett Celek’s TD celebrations need some work

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Garrett Celek caught two touchdown passes in less than 13 minutes Sunday, which is the type of feat typically performed by NFL tight ends such as New England’s Rob Gronkowski.

Celek, however, isn’t a scoring machine and his end-zone inexperience showed after his first second-quarter touchdown in the 49ers’ 17-16 win over the Falcons. The ultra-excited tight end celebrated his 1-yard catch by turning around and then punctuating his half-pirouette with an awkward two-handed spike.

One of the judges — inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite — gave Celek low marks.

“I expected more,” Wilhoite said, smiling. “When Gronk does it one-handed, the ball dang near goes flat … (Celek) did it with two hands and the ball barely bounced off the ground.”

OK, so Celek is no Gronk, but here’s the good news for Celek: He could start getting more chances to fine-tune those spikes.

Celek’s touchdowns — the second and third of his four-year career — came six days after the 49ers traded starting tight end Vernon Davis. The deal opened the door a bit wider for Celek, who already was proving he could do more than block with his 6-foot-5, 252-pound frame.

Celek, 27, would like to follow the career path of his brother, Brent, 30, a tight end who has 351 catches in his nine-year career with the Eagles.

Garrett Celek (88) catches his second touchdown in the second quarter as the San Francisco 49ers played the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, November 8, 2015. Garrett Celek (88) catches his second touchdown in the second quarter as the San Francisco 49ers played the Atlanta Falcons at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, November 8, 2015. Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close 49ers: Garrett Celek’s TD celebrations need some work 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

“I don’t want to be a tight end that just stays in and blocks,” Celek said. “In the past, that’s kind of who I was. Now, I have more chances to do bigger things.”

In comparison with his pass-catching past, Celek has put up huge numbers this season: He has 17 receptions for 151 yards and a team-high three touchdowns. For perspective, Celek had 22 catches in his previous seven seasons — and that includes his four-year, 14-reception career at Michigan State, where he was largely an extension of the offensive line.

Before this season, Celek had eight catches in 28 NFL games, and the lack of opportunities didn’t shock him. When he arrived in Santa Clara as an undrafted free agent, he found he was both wanted and typecast after speaking with the then-offensive coordinator.

“I remember Greg Roman saying ‘Hey, you’re a good blocking tight end. We could really use that,’” Celek said. “And that’s great, but I also want to do a little more.”

Did Celek ever say that to Roman?

“No,” Celek said. “You don’t say that at all. You just do what you’re told.”

With Davis in Denver, Celek could emerge as the 49ers’ top pass-catching tight end. At one point, that role seemingly was reserved for Vance McDonald, who was selected in the second round in 2013.

However, McDonald hasn’t replicated the pass-catching prowess he showed at Rice, where he had 119 receptions and routinely lined up as wide receiver. McDonald, who has developed into a strong blocker, has 19 receptions, no touchdowns and an abundance of dropped passes in his career.

On Sunday, McDonald, who had two catches for 19 yards on five targets, couldn’t hang onto Colin Kaepernick’s lone pass in the fourth quarter. Kaepernick’s high-but-catchable throw bounced off McDonald’s hands.

Meanwhile, Celek made the most of his chances: Both balls thrown to him turned into touchdowns. He was left uncovered on his 1-yard score, but he displayed route-running ability on his 11-yarder that gave the 49ers their final points. Lined up in the left slot, Celek got open with a post route he began with a jab step that got rookie cornerback Jalen Collins to bite outside.

It’s the type of route he rarely executed in college, but now is practicing plenty in the pros. Celek acknowledges his blocking got his “foot in the door” of the NFL, but now he’s hoping his hands allow him to stay for a while.

For his part, Wilhoite has this judgment: Celek is a far better receiver than celebrator.

“I think he’s always been a pass-catcher,” Wilhoite said. “I think he’s always been that type of guy. I just think he hasn’t had the opportunity to show it before.”

Eric Branch is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: ebranch@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Eric_Branch