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49ers: San Francisco’s 2017 Offseason Big Board, version 2.0

By Eric Gamboa

Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 5, 2015; Fayetteville, AR, USA; UTEP Miners running back Aaron Jones (29) runs against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the game at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. The Razorbacks defeat the Miners 48-13. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Honorable Mention

In our last big board, we had tight end and running back on the board as the Nos. 3 and 5 offseason priorities, respectively. However, one FA signing may have taken care of both needs.

The much ballyhooed signing of former Baltimore Ravens FB Kyle Juszczyk has left many fans quite salty. In fact, many fans (and media pundits) lashed out at the signing because the 49ers handed out “Juice” a large contract, which is in stark contrast from what his FB brethren receive.

Juszczyk is now easily the highest-paid FB in the NFL.

On the surface, this looks like a terrible deal. However, Juszczyk is not your average FB. Juice is excellent at all the things expected of a top-tier FB. He excels at run- and pass-blocking assignments, but it is his pass-catching skills that make him special.

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Juice has the ability to turn an easy five-yard pass into a 10-yard gain or more.

Not too mention, bringing him in to pave the way for a rock-em-sock-em RB like Carlos Hyde will help Hyde avoid contact from within the one- to two- from maybe two- to four-yard range.

By then, Hyde will be at full speed and will be able to deliver massive damage to opposing defenders while also sparing himself damage. One quality that fans will love about Juice is his penchant to seek out defenders and punish them.

Juice, can also be used as a utility back. He can be split out wide in a Delanie Walker role. Quite Simply, the 25-year old has simply scratched the surface of his potential talent. He can add H-back talent, lessening the need to draft a TE.

Nonetheless, with as many draft picks as the 49ers possess the team will still look to draft a backup RB in sixth or seventh-round.

  1. Draft UTEP, RB, Aaron Jones in the sixth round.
  2. Draft San Diego State, RB, Donnel Pumphrey in the sixth round.

Draft projections, statistical data and combine information provided, courtesy of Walter Football.

Next: Just How Bad Things Could Have Been for the 49ers this Offseason

For more 49ers commentary, follow me on Twitter at @EricGamboa01 or on Facebook at @EricGamboaNinerNoise.

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