49ers depth chart: What happens if George Kittle gets hurt?

49ers Depth TE No. 4: Josh Pederson

An undrafted free agent out of Louisiana-Monroe, tight end Josh Pederson faces perhaps the biggest uphill struggle to make the 49ers’ regular-season roster.

At 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, the son of former Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson has some pass-catching abilities to suggest he’ll be a likable developmental piece over the next couple of years. Especially after he netted over 934 receiving yards his last two seasons.

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But Josh Pederson isn’t much of a blocker, and his smallish frame for a player of his height might not be adequate enough to showcase some much-needed physicality. As a route-runner, Pederson is OK but won’t necessarily win a lot of matchups against upper-echelon NFL-level competition.

It’s likely the Niners keep only three tight ends on the regular-season roster, meaning Pederson has the longest of shots to make the cut.

Yet that won’t stop him from potentially being a practice squad stash this season, which means he’d have to be in line for a possible promotion in the wake of any lengthy injury to George Kittle, therefore keeping Pederson on the radar for now.