The 49ers would like to add a tight end to go along with George Kittle, and one logical option is just down the road from the team’s Santa Clara complex.
San Jose State tight end Josh Oliver is a projected Day 2 pick in the NFL draft. The 49ers this week visited with Iowa tight end Noah Fant, a likely first-round selection. Oliver is chosen around the time the 49ers could start looking to add a tight end who can be used in a variety of different roles.
“I think that’s a huge part of my game, the versatility I have,” Oliver said at the NFL Scouting Combine in February. “I’m able to be spread out wide, be in the slot, in tight with a hand on the ground. I think that’s something I can take to an NFL team.”
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He has reportedly drawn interest from Chicago, Jacksonville, Minnesota, Denver, Pittsburgh, Dallas and the New York Giants. Oliver is eligible to attend the 49ers’ local pro day at Levi’s Stadium on April 17.
“If he attends, which he likely will, Josh will meet privately with the 49ers coaches and front office when they have their local day,” agent Andrew Kessler told NBC Sports Bay Area. “He would not do any on-field work as that is not necessary for him at this point in the pre-draft process.”
Kittle set the NFL record for tight ends with 1,377 yards receiving last season. Garrett Celek and Ross Dwelley are the only other tight ends among the 77 players under contract.
Oliver had his breakout season as a senior with the Spartans, catching 56 passes for 709 yards and four touchdowns. In his four-year career, Oliver caught 98 passes for 1,067 yards with seven touchdowns. He played for the 49ers-coached South team at the Senior Bowl.
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Oliver (6-foot-5, 249 pounds) ran a 4.63 seconds in the 40-yard dash with a 34-inch vertical leap and a 117-inch broad jump. He bench-pressed 225 pounds 22 times.