Baltimore Ravens Kyle Juszczyk – First Preseason Thoughts

Dec 16, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Kyle Juszczyk (40) against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Many people were hoping to see Harvard’s Kyle Juszczyk out on the field during his rookie season last year. But it was not to be, as he had no offensive stats, playing primarily on special teams. But during the preseason game against San Francisco we saw some spots in the new offense where Juszczyk could expect to get some plays.

Often seen mainly as a receiver, Juszczyk was used mostly as a traditional fullback performing blocks for the running backs. But Gary Kubiak did make sure to use him as a receiver. He had  three catches, including one from Flacco on the first series with the first team offense.

Coming out of Harvard, Juszczyk was seen as being a versatile player who can play the traditional fullback, tight end, or the hybrid H-Back position. He showed great hands, good blocking skills and a willingness to knock down anything in his path.

The Ravens drafted him in the fourth round in 2013 out of school that last saw a draftee in 2005 (Ryan Fitzpatrick). The Ravens already have had good luck with veteran Matt Birk, who also played for the Crimson.

Juszczyk is the obvious heir apparent to Vonta Leach, but Ravens fans should expect to see him used in creative ways that Leach would never have been used.