49ers’ 2018 ‘Who Is?’ series: Fullback Kyle Juszczyk

Niner Noise looks at an integral tool in the San Francisco 49ers offense with our latest “Who Is?” installment, fullback Kyle Juszczyk, and his projected impact in 2018.

Fullbacks may be a dying breed in today’s NFL, but don’t tell that to San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and two-time Pro Bowler Kyle Juszczyk.

The Niners’ lone non-alternate Pro Bowl selection from a year ago signed a lucrative four-year, $21 million contract last season. It’s a lot of money for a position traditionally not anymore tailored for big-time impact.

But Juszczyk is far more than just a lead blocker. And while his 2017 numbers don’t necessarily reflect this, there are a few reasons why we should expect more from him this upcoming season:

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/6/2018.

Juszczyk wasn’t exactly the X-factor tool the 49ers envisioned last season. While he did see a total of 393 snaps last season, per Pro Football Focus, only 152 of those (39 percent) saw him act as a receiving option.

A major reason why some of Juszczyk’s numbers were down from previous years was because Shanahan needed the fullback to block more than act as an offensive weapon.

That should change this upcoming season, and here’s why.

Why Kyle Juszczyk Improves in 2018

Out of those 393 total snaps last year, 210 were as a run blocker. Last season, San Francisco’s offensive line finished a modest 10th best in run support, per Football Outsiders.

But according to former KNBR 680 insider Kevin Jones, Shanahan wasn’t pleased with the O-line’s run-blocking efforts in 2017. It’s likely the reason why the Niners traded off right tackle Trent Brown, drafted Notre Dame’s Mike McGlinchey and inked center Weston Richburg in free agency.

Richburg and McGlinchey should alleviate some of the need for Juszczyk to be a regular run blocker, therefore keeping him fresh and opening up more opportunities in the passing game.

Here is where Juszczyk can thrive.

Niner Noise’s Florito Maniego broke down why Juszczyk can have a great season in 2018. But let’s continue the thought. Juszczyk won’t be a deep threat, of course. But with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo having completed 63.8 percent of his passes in the intermediate range, per PFF, one can see how Juszczyk being a quality safety-valve option is a real possibility.

Why He Regresses

It’s hard to see Juszczyk’s actual play taking a regression at any point this season. Yet there are reasons why he might not, statistically, make as a huge an impact as some may hope.

McGlinchey could still have question marks about his pass protection. And there are some serious questions about the O-line’s guard play this year too.

San Francisco 49ers

Any combination thereof could mean Juszczyk is asked to provide more support in pass protection, helping keep Garoppolo upright and preventing the kind of pass-rushing pressure from opponents getting home.

Juszczyk is good enough in active blocks, especially in run support. But his 39.6 PFF pass-blocking grade is less than desirable.

If he’s asked to do this a lot in 2018, we’ll not only see his traditional stats take a hit, but also his overall on-field impact.

Projected Impact with the 49ers This Season

Hopefully, San Francisco’s O-line is up to the task in both run support and pass protection. Juszczyk will still be asked to deliver key blocks, especially for the ground game. But we’ll likely see him engage as more of a pass-catching threat.

A full offseason’s worth of work with Garoppolo should help matters a lot. Opponents’ defensive coverages can often leave lapses not accounting for receiving-type fullbacks.

If and when these opportunities present themselves, we should witness Juszczyk emulate the kind of numbers he showcased with the Baltimore Ravens earlier in his career.

OK, so you want predictions? Fine. Let’s look at 40 receptions for 350 yards and two touchdowns. Perhaps he tacks on another two on the ground.

Next: 3 biggest risks the 49ers are taking in 2018

Either way, one can look at Juszczyk as another 49ers Pro Bowl candidate in 2019. The lack of impact fullbacks makes this a likelihood, but Juszczyk probably earns it anyway.