49ers: 5 players who will have bigger roles in 2018

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 24: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Jimmy Garoppolo #10 after a one-yard touchdown run against the Jacksonville Jaguars during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 24: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Jimmy Garoppolo #10 after a one-yard touchdown run against the Jacksonville Jaguars during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 03: Kyle Juszczyk #44 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the football in the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 03: Kyle Juszczyk #44 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the football in the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

No. 3: FB Kyle Juszczyk

When the 49ers signed Kyle Juszczyk in free agency, John Lynch labeled him not as a fullback, but as an offensive weapon, “OW” for short. In the first eleven games of the season, Juszczyk was not an OW, but just an ordinary fullback. All he did was block in the running game and get the occasional run.

However, since quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo got the start for the 49ers, Juszczyk has turned into the OW that the fans were promised, averaging 44 receiving yards per game, which doesn’t seem like a lot. However, ever since Garoppolo entered the starting lineup, Juszczyk has made big plays happen for the 49ers offense.

Brian Baldinger gives a great analysis on how Juszczyk can be a mismatch for opposing linebackers covering him.

Fortunately, Garoppolo will be starting at quarterback for the whole season next year. He seems to like throwing to this OW.

Expect a much more productive season from Juszczyk next year.