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The Baltimore Ravens didn’t really miss Kyle Juszczyk in 2017

By Chris Schisler

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 03: Kyle Juszczyk #44 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the football in the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 03: Kyle Juszczyk #44 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the football in the first quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Kyle Juszczyk went to the San Francisco 49ers via free agency last season. How much did the Ravens miss their Harvard educated fullback?

In the 2016 season Kyle Juszczyk caught 37 passes for the Baltimore Ravens. It may not sound like a lot but he caught the fourth most passes on the team. He caught more passes than Breshad Perriman, Terrence West, Kenneth Dixon and Kamar Aiken. Juszczyk was clearly a part of the Ravens game plan. Juszczyk’s best statistical season was 2015, when he caught 41 passes for over 300 yards and scored four of his six touchdowns. The Ravens liked using their fullback in the passing game.

One could argue that the only reason the Ravens brought in Danny Woodhead was to replace Juszczyk’s production. It was a good move on the part of Ozzie Newsome because in just eight games Woodhead basically equaled the numbers put up by Juszczyk. Woodhead caught 33 passes for an even 200 yards.

Juszczyk did more than just catching passes; he was an important part of the running game. Juszczyk served as a lead blocker. Here’s the thing though, the Ravens rushing attack improved dramatically without Juszczyk.

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The Ravens brought in Greg Roman to help orchestrate the running game. Alex Collins and Javorius “Buck” Allen were a wonderful combination in the backfield. A healthy rotation of the two running backs and a new scheme fixed the Ravens’ broken ground game.

Juszczyk was a decent lead blocker because with his athletic ability could reach blocks others couldn’t. However he wasn’t an overly powerful run blocker or pass protector. He was serviceable in this area of the game at best. It’s not like the Ravens were all the sudden lost without Juszczyk after Woodhead’s injury either. Allen had 46 receptions out of the backfield.

The Bottom Line:

Juszczyk was a fan favorite and he was a good player. However he was a luxury, one that the Ravens could replace relatively cheaply. The Ravens used Pat Ricard for the things Juszczyk did that Woodhead and Allen couldn’t. It would have been one thing if the Ravens fullback left and had a monster year in San Francisco. The 49ers got what you get with Juszczyk, 33 receptions and 315 yards.

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At the end of the day the Ravens didn’t really miss Juszczyk. He was a good addition to the locker room. He was a good player. He just wasn’t needed so the Ravens let him get a nice payday with the 49ers. Juszczyk is a player that many Ravens fans will continue to root for, however the team wasn’t much better or worse without him. The Ravens just about exactly replicated his production without him.

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