49ers need to re-sign right guard Brandon Fusco this offseason

The San Francisco 49ers have had some serious issues with their offensive line, but pending free-agent guard Brandon Fusco isn’t one of them. He should be re-signed.

The San Francisco 49ers don’t have a good offensive line this season.

But one of the few positives along the line in 2017 has been right guard Brandon Fusco. Signed to a one-year deal last offseason, Fusco has been, without question, the most-serviceable and consistent interior lineman the Niners have had.

The problem is he’s a free agent this offseason.

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Niner Noise already detailed how San Francisco’s O-line, especially the interior, is a key weakness for this unit heading forward. In theory, the Niners could use four players here:

a starting right guard
an upgrade over Laken Tomlinson/Zane Beadles at right guard
an upgrade over center Daniel Kilgore
an eventual replacement for Staley

Replacing the 33-year-old Staley is a problem the Niners likely address down the road, not this offseason. But the interior is a major doubt.

Re-signing Fusco, though, solves a big need.

According to Pro Football Focus, Fusco owns a 77.6 overall grade on the year, which is tied for best along the O-line:

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Despite a shaky start to the season, he’s allowed just two sacks and 17 quarterback hurries on the year. One might think those numbers would be better if Fusco had a more-adept center to his left.

Nevertheless, offering an extension would be vital. And considering he made only $1.4 million this season, re-signing him shouldn’t be too much a financial investment on the 29 year old.

Eliminating One of the 49ers’ O-Line Needs

There’s a key X-factor in play here — left guard Joshua Garnett, who landed on season-ending injured reserve with a knee injury during training camp.

Garnett could return healthy and be a major contributor/upgrade at left guard. The problem is, though, we don’t know how head coach Kyle Shanahan views him as a fit. And there’s still enough room for doubt he winds up being another first-round NFL Draft bust.

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Either way, re-signing Fusco eliminates the need to find two guards this offseason. Even if the 49ers pick up a promising guard in free agency or the draft, Fusco can still serve as a reliable backup option and/or a better-tiered player over Garnett, should he not flash desired improvement.

The Niners are armed with plenty of cap space and are in dire need of talent this offseason. Losing Fusco to free agency would mean San Francisco has yet one more position to fill against a laundry list of positions needing upgrades.

Next: 2018 NFL Draft options to fix 49ers' offensive line

It’s a swift move to make, so let’s hope the Niners do it.