SF 49ers: 5 most important free agents heading into 2021

No. 4: SF 49ers FB Kyle Juszczyk

It may seem odd to the rest of the league to include a fullback among the top free agents to bring back, but Kyle Juszczyk is the best of the best at his position in the NFL.

Part of that is because he’s not a stereotypical fullback, a big guy who is a solid blocker but provides little else in terms of offensive production. Instead, Juszczyk can be lined up all along the offensive formation, be it in the backfield, in the slot, at tight end, or even out wide, all of which were part of his repertoire in 2020.

“Juice” came in as part of John Lynch-Kyle Shanahan’s initial free-agent class in 2017, signing the largest fullback contract in the history of the league that paid him $21 million over four seasons. And while many have often scoffed at the price tag, there’s no question Juszczyk has done everything the team has asked him throughout his tenure.

And while his run blocking was a little less consistent in 2020 than in years past, he’s still generally an excellent blocker in both run and pass situations and quite good with the ball in his hands, most often on receptions that are schemed wide open for him.

So whether the former Harvard man returns to the SF 49ers comes down to what he wants to do at this point in his career as he enters his ninth NFL season.

Staying isn’t out of the question, but he may have to do so at a reduced salary, so Juszczyk will have to decide whether being a 49er and a key cog in Shanahan’s offense matters more than getting the biggest payday he can.