According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, Kyle Juszczyk is expected to sign with the San Francisco 49ers. NFL Network analyst Ian Rapoport later revealed that the contract is a four-year deal worth $21 million. Juszczyk spent the first four seasons of his career with the Baltimore Ravens.
Let’s try this again: Ravens Pro-Bowl FB Kyle Juszczyk plans to sign with the 49ers assuming no last-minute negotiating snags, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 8, 2017
Report: Kyle Juszczyk To Sign With San Francisco 49ers
Kyle Juszczyk is a peculiar player. Despite being a conventional fullback, he’s also proven to be a pretty effective runner and receiver. Over the last three seasons, Juszczyk compiled 769 yards and five touchdowns. In 2014, Juszczyk caught 41 passes for 321 yards and four touchdowns, all career highs.
While fullback is a position that is becoming less and less popular in the NFL, there’s still a place for Juszczyk. Teams like the Oakland Raiders and New England Patriots still employ the use of the fullback, and the fact that he can catch passes out of the backfield only helps his cause.
Way back in 2013, Juszczyk was considered the best fullback in the draft. He didn’t receive an invite to the NFL’s scouting combine, but at his pro day, he had a ball. He recorded a 4.7 40 yard dash and he managed to record 24 repetitions on the bench press, and he recorded a 4.19 shuttle time. Not bad for someone that’s just a fullback.
Juszczyk went from special teams ace to starting fullback over the course of a year, and behind him, Justin Forsett was able to have his only 1,000 yard season. Despite only being a fullback, Juszczyk brings a lot to the table. He’s a great blocker, he can play special teams, and he’s a solid receiver out of the backfield.
Plus, Juszczyk is only 25 years old. He’s a young player that’s already accomplished quite a bit for a fullback. The quarterbacks and pass rushers get all the press, but it takes all 53 players on the active rosters to win a Super Bowl. Who knows what Kyle Juszczyk could bring to the table in 2017?
