Who Should I Start? Kyle Juszczyk or Audric Estime

Saturday, March 15, 11:19 AM

Nine-time Pro Bowl fullback Kyle Juszczyk re-signed with the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday on a two-year, $8 million deal, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Juszczyk will return to the Bay Area for his ninth year after the Niners released him back on Monday. The 33-year-old has never been on the fantasy radar, but he will continue to be a key blocking asset in the team's backfield for starting running back Christian McCaffrey (knee) in 2025. When Juszczyk does factor in on offense, it's usually through the air as a receiver. In his 12-year NFL career, he's caught 281 passes on 378 targets for 2,664 yards and 18 total touchdowns while carrying the ball only 67 times for 237 yards and six TDs. Last year in 17 games (15 starts), he had 19 catches on 31 targets for 200 yards and two scores, adding just five carries for 26 yards and one TD.

Friday, May 30, 5:30 PM

On Thursday, Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton noted that running back Audric Estime will garner increased opportunities in his second season with the team. "He's a back that requires enough touches," said Payton. "He's going to get those opportunities." The former fifth-round rookie was undoubtedly lacking in opportunities in 2024 -- placing fourth on the team in carries and rushing yards behind backfield mates Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin and quarterback Bo Nix. Estime was a productive player in his final season at Notre Dame, finishing with 1,341 yards and 18 rushing scores in 12 games. However, Denver's recent selection of RJ Harvey in the second round adds formidable competition in the backfield. Harvey is slotted in first on the team's unofficial depth chart, ahead of Estime for now. The latter projects to be more of a traditional short-yardage back due to his larger stature, but Harvey is also a force between the tackles and profiles as a better pass-catcher despite poor pass-protection skills.