49ers stock report heading into final 2017 contest versus the Rams
By Peter Panacy
![SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 24: Trent Taylor #81 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a touchdown pass in front of Tashaun Gipson #39 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during their NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 24: Trent Taylor #81 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a touchdown pass in front of Tashaun Gipson #39 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during their NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/cf78cecf8e6f9475835ca035c5ae47a45deaf7ba1c171b77dd37ce777b3f4ddd.jpg)
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk
Some may have scoffed when the 49ers inked fullback Kyle Juszczyk to a four-year, $21 million contract last offseason. After all, that’s a ton of money for a player at that position. And the first few weeks of 2017 didn’t exactly justify the big payday.
But we’re starting to see what kind of weapons Juszczyk can be in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
He had 64 receiving yards on four receptions two weeks ago during the Niners’ win over the Houston Texans, and Juszczyk backed it up with a five-catch, 76-yard performance against a top-ranked Jaguars defense on Sunday.
So much for Juszczyk solely providing pass blocking against Jacksonville’s elite pass-rushers.
On a day when wide receivers weren’t a primary factor, Juszczyk ended up leading San Francisco in the receiving game.
Needless to say, his presence made a huge difference and was critical to the 49ers victory.