Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: Identifying 10 cornerstone players for 2018

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 05: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to their game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 05: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to their game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on November 5, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Outside linebacker Markus Golden #44 of the Arizona Cardinals hits fullback Kyle Juszczyk #44 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Outside linebacker Markus Golden #44 of the Arizona Cardinals hits fullback Kyle Juszczyk #44 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Fullback Kyle Juszczyk

Yes, fullback Kyle Juszczyk’s fumble in the first quarter against Arizona wasn’t a good look. And injuries have forced him to miss two games this season.

Statistically, Juszczyk hasn’t been a major contributor either — just five rushing attempts and only nine receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown.

But the 49ers have been forced to rely on Juszczyk for blocking more than an active offensive contributor, largely due to the issues San Francisco’s offensive line is dealing with right now. As a result, we haven’t seen the kind of impact the Niners were hoping for when they inked Juszczyk to a four-year, $21 million free-agent deal last offseason.

That’s a lot of money for a lead blocker.

Key to getting Juszczyk into the offensive game plan will be whether or not San Francisco can make some O-line upgrades.

If they can, Juszczyk becomes a viable weapon — an H-back, of sorts, capable of putting his unique talents to use.

The Niners can build around that.