49ers hosted pre-draft visit with Texas A&M TE Jace Sternberger

The San Francisco 49ers are doing a lot of work on tight ends in the incoming rookie class. They hosted pre-draft visits with Noah Fant of Iowa and Tyree Mayfield of Wyoming. The team also hosted Texas A&M tight end Jace Sternberger, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Sternberger felt his talents weren't being showcased with Kansas so he transferred to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, a junior college, after the 2016 season. He committed to Texas A&M after an impressive 2017 campaign. Sternberger caught 48 passes for 832 yards with 10 touchdowns through 13 games with the Aggies in 2018, which earned him first-team All-SEC honors and first-team All-America honors.

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At the NFL Scouting Combine, the 6-foot-4 and 251-pound Sternberger had a 40-time of 4.75 seconds, a vertical jump of 31.5 inches, a broad jump of 113 inches, completed the three-cone drill in 7.19 seconds, 17 reps in the bench press, a 20-yard shuttle time of 4.31 seconds, and a 60-yard shuttle time of 129 seconds. Other measurables for Sternberger include an arm length of 32 1/8 inches and hands that measure 9 3/4 inches.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, who compares Sternberger to Jacob Tamme, wrote the following about Sternberger within his scouting report:

"Despite his experience in-line and willingness to block in Jimbo Fisher's offense, he has neither the size nor strength to handle those duties as a pro. Sternberger is athletic with above-average ball skills, catch radius and route breaks that help him undercover on the second and third level. His paychecks will be tied to his pass-catching so he'll need to play stronger through route contact and with better focus when contested. He has eventual starter potential as a move tight-end who can function as a big WR3/4 from the slot."

Tony Pauline of Draft Analyst wrote the following about Sternberger within his scouting report:

"Sternberger looks the part and really played to it in 2018, when he came out of nowhere to become one of the better tight-end prospects in this year's draft. He needs to complete his game but is a terrific pass catcher who could eventually develop into a starter at the next level."

Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network wrote the following about Sternberger within his scouting report:

"Jace Sternberger is an excellent receiving threat from the TE position and his receiving chops should allow him to get reps early as a rookie. Sternberger has smooth breaks, soft hands, good concentration skills and enough blocking to not be considered a liability at the POA. He needs to continue to add some false breaks on his routes and really focus on his balance and lower body power as a blocker but his three year projection is favorable, can impact pass game year one. "

Measurables

Height: 6-4
Weight: 251 lbs.
Arm length: 32 1/8 inches
Hand length: 9 3/4 inches

NFL Scouting Combine

40-time: 4.75 seconds
Vertical: 31.5 inches
Broad jump: 113 inches
3-cone drill: 7.19 seconds
Bench press: 17 reps
20-yard shuttle: 4.31 seconds
60-shuttle drill: 129 seconds