No. 6: Fullback Tyler McCloskey
The 49ers dished out a sizable four-year, $21 million contract to veteran fullback Kyle Juszczyk earlier this offseason, and it’s not like the Niners will keep two fullbacks on their 53-man roster.
The starting job is Juszczyk’s, clearly, which means the former Houston fullback, Tyler McCloskey, won’t make the 53-man roster.
McCloskey, however, was a versatile weapon in college, though. Last year, the 6-foot-2, 245-pound McCloskey logged 23 receptions for 233 yards and four touchdowns — nearly replicating Juszczyk’s 37-catch, 266-yard effort.
Fullbacks are a major component for head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense, and these players do more than just operate as a lead blocker.
So, as Niners Wire’s Chris Biderman broke down, McCloskey might be able to find himself on the practice squad as an insurance option:
"McCloskey played well with the reserves [in Week 1 of the preseason] and might carve out a spot on the practice squad in case of injury. But the job is clearly Juszczyk’s, who was used on only four snaps Friday."
It wouldn’t be a shock at all if the 49ers go this route.