5 pending free agents SF 49ers must re-sign in 2021
By Peter Panacy
SF 49ers Re-Sign Target No. 2: Fullback Kyle Juszczyk
2020 Cap Hit: $6.7 million
Yes, fullback Kyle Juszczyk‘s massive four-year, $21 million contract signed back in 2017 was quite the outlier for his position. No other fullback comes even close to commanding that kind of money, and some could be justified in scratching their heads why the SF 49ers inked him at that kind of deal.
Still, there’s no questioning the value Juszczyk offers to Kyle Shanahan’s offense, both as a lead blocker and mismatch pass-catching weapon out of the backfield.
Just like Juszczyk’s contractual value, few other fullbacks come close to providing the same kind of offensive impact.
And to see the difference when Juszczyk was in or out of the lineup last year, due to injury, one just needs to know the following:
Kyle Juszczyk is a free agent in 2021, and the #49ers rush numbers with him in/out of the lineup are telling:
— Peter Panacy (@PeterPanacy) July 8, 2020
Juszczyk in lineup (Weeks 1-5, 10-17):
144.7 rush yards/game
5.0 rush yards/attempt
Juszczyk not in lineup (Weeks 6-10):
142.3 rush yards/game
3.8 rush yards/attempt
There were other factors at play during that stretch, yes. But Juszczyk might be considered the proverbial “transmission” for Shanahan’s run-first offense, which is predicated on that necessary lead blocker.
Re-signing Juszczyk with no other factors seems to be a no-brainer. The question arises with compensation. As far as his market value, the Niners likely exceeded it, at least in terms of comparing other fullbacks. But in the realm of overall offensive impact, it might be tough for San Francisco to squeak in an additional $5 million or $6 million, annually, to re-sign him.
Still, it should be a top priority.