The Falcons are signing former 49ers guard Brandon Fusco to a three-year contract, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The pact is worth $12.75MM, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).
Fusco started all 16-games for the 49ers last season and performed well in the second half of the season. He’s now the second Niners free agent to depart SF, following running back Carlos Hyde.
For his career, the 29-year-old has 80 starts to his credit – most of those coming with the Vikings. He also offers the ability to play center or guard. He projects as a reserve in Atlanta (though he did grade out better than Wes Schweitzer, per Pro Football Focus), but his versatility should garner him some playing time.
The Falcons’ starting five, as shown on Roster Resource, is slated to include Jake Matthews, Andy Levitre, Alex Mack, Wes Schweitzer, and Ryan Schrader. Fusco joins Garland and Sean Harlow as the club’s reserve guards, though Garland may be more geared towards the center position. Ty Sambrailo and Austin Pasztor can also see time at guard, but they are ticketed more for work on the outside.
Forget the money, performance wise, PFF had Fusco come in at 76/100 and rated as the #21 G in the league in 17′. Schweitzer and Garland came in at 43.7/100 and #54 and 44.6/100 and #50 respectively. Fusco was more in line with Levitre who came in at 78/100 and 17. If he can perform anything like that in 18′, this was a tremendous signing at a great bargain!