Dan Skuta agreed to a two-year deal with the 49ers on Thursday evening and is listed as an inside linebacker.
Even though Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman are both signed for the long term as starting ILBs, Skuta will still find ways to contribute.
Skuta spent his first four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and could be a core special teams player. He can also help out offensively as an extra blocker similar to how Will Tukuafu, Demarcus Dobbs and Isaac Sopoaga were seen on offense in 2012. Last offseason, the 49ers lost core special teams player Blake Costanzo to the Chicago Bears via free agency.
The most important role for Skuta is to help upgrade a kick coverage unit that was one of the worst in the league. Last season, there were six times they allowed a kickoff return of more than 40 yards or more. The most notable mistake was during Super Bowl XLVII when Jacoby Jones returned the kickoff 108 yards for a touchdown to begin the second half.
Besides in kick coverage, Skuta will most likely have the backup ILB role where Larry Grant and Tavares Gooden were last season. Both Grant and Gooden were free agents.
Skuta was impressed with what he saw in his visit with the 49ers. He said he will be ready to contribute wherever the team needs him this fall.
"I just want to contribute," said Skuta. "We saw it the same way, contributing any way possible, running down the field on special teams, backup linebacker, [and] a number of different things they talked about doing with me."
Comments