Week 9 vs. Oakland Raiders
Kyle Juszczyk only touched the ball twice last week against the Cardinals, gaining a mere 10 yards on the ground. Juszczyk is in the middle of a logjam in the 49ers backfield, although he’s usually fairly active in the passing game. If Matt Breida misses time, he has the potential to put up a few receptions in deep, PPR formats, but in most leagues, he should remain on waivers. If Breida is active, Juszczyk’s value is nearly zero.
Week 8 at Arizona Cardinals
Kyle Juszczyk gets a little bump if Matt Breida misses time, but even if that’s the case, he’s a question mark as far as workload goes. Juszczyk may vulture a touchdown here and there, but if he’s going to become a viable fantasy option, he’ll need to be an active part of the passing game. He’s worth a speculative roster addition in deep, PPR formats, but in most leagues, his upside is too limited to grab him off waivers.
Week 7 vs. Los Angeles Rams
While it’s exciting to think Kyle Juszczyk might put up decent fantasy numbers, the truth is that his value is limited to potential vulture touchdowns and extended work in the passing game. The former is hard to count on, and the latter is largely contingent on whether Matt Breida is in the lineup. With Breida likely to start again this week, fantasy owners should avoid any other 49ers backs.
Week 6 at Green Bay Packers
Kyle Juszczyk could get a bump in workload this week with Matt Breida likely to miss some time with an ankle injury. Juszczyk caught six passes for 75 yards last week against the Cardinals and he’s a better pass-catcher than starting running back Alfred Morris. Quarterback C.J. Beathard checks the ball down to running backs often, giving Juszczyk some deep, deep sleeper potential in PPR formats while Breida is out.
Fantasy Upside
Remember last year? When the 49ers signed Juszczyk as a free agent out of Baltimore, and San Francisco GM John Lynch said the newcomer should rightfully be called an "OW"—offensive weapon—rather than a fullback. And they paid him as such. And it was somewhat understandable. Juszczyk caught 97 passes during his three-year stint with the Ravens. Beyond that, during Kyle Shanahan's nine years as an NFL offensive coordinator, his fullbacks had racked up 44 carries for 153 yards and five touchdowns, plus 110 receptions, 1,067 yards and 8 touchdowns on 168 targets. While things didn't pan out last season, Shanahan's historic use of players at the position—and the fact that Juszczyk is the best and most versatile weapon he's had at the position—opens the door to potentially heavier usage this year. As NBCSports.com's Peter King put it upon the fullback's signing in 2017, “Teams don’t pay pass-protecting backs $5 million a year. So the bullseye will be on Shanahan to build a major role in the offense, and for Juszczyk to produce.”
Fantasy Downside
Seven carries for 31 yards, 33 catches for 315 yards and just one touchdown—Juszczyk’s numbers in 2017 probably weren't what anybody involved expected.
2018 Bottom Line
Beyond the expectation that San Francisco's offense will make strides in Year Two under Shanahan (and with Jimmy Garoppolo under center), there's no reason to believe that Juszczyk's role will evolve into something that makes him a viable draft day option for fantasy managers.
Week 9 vs. Pittsburgh
Kyle Juszczyk has a little bit of low-end value in PPR leagues, as he’s actually the fifth most targeted player in the Baltimore passing game. Still, it’s hard to trust a fullback to produce enough fantasy points to make him relevant, and unless you’re in a really, really deep league and desperate, it’s hard to recommend starting him.
Week 16 vs. Pittsburgh
Kyle Juszczyk had five receptions and a touchdown last week against the Chiefs, but only finished with 26 total yards on the day. Juszczyk remains a complementary option in the passing game, and primarily a blocker for the Baltimore offense, and there’s no reason to suspect that he’ll get enough touches to rely on in most fantasy leagues. He should remain on waivers.
Week 14 vs. Seattle
Kyle Juszczyk actually finished with negative yardage last week against the Dolphins. He was targeted only twice in the passing game, and caught one pass for a loss of two yards. Juszczyk’s skill set of running between the tackles is better served by newly-acquired back Terrance West, and he remains primarily a blocker in the Baltimore offense. His lack of touches limits his value, and he should remain on waivers in all leagues.
Week 13 at Miami
Kyle Juszczyk caught two of the four passes thrown his way last week against the Browns, and he remains an ancillary option in the Ravens passing game. He’ll continue to block effectively for Baltimore, but his fantasy potential is limited by the very few touches he gets. Even against a terrible Dolphins defense, Juszczyk should remain on the waiver wire.
Week 12 at Cleveland
Kyle Juszczyk had 13 total yards on three receptions and two carries last week against the Rams. After starting running back Justin Forsett broke his arm, nearly all the carries went to rookie Javorius Allen, and there’s no reason to think that will change in the coming weeks. Juszczyk is a nice fullback for the Ravens, but has little fantasy value and should be left on waivers in most leagues.
