Brandon Jacobs Reaches Deal with the San Francisco 49ers

According to Adam Schefter via Twitter, the San Francisco 49ers have agreed to a one-year contract with former New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs.

The New York Daily news reported that the deal is worth a maximum of $2 million based on incentives.

What This Means

Now the 49ers have a tough between-the-tackles bruiser who can spell Frank Gore. Jacobs is widely known in the NFL as a back that punishes opposing defenses up the middle with his massive 6'4'', 256-pound frame.

After totaling 100-plus yards in five consecutive games between Week 4 through 8, Gore slowed mightily down the stretch. He failed to record another 100-yard game for the remaining eight contests of the regular season and two playoff games.

Jacobs is fully capable of carrying the load but has always played as a complementary back with the likes of Derrick Ward, Ahmad Bradshaw and D.J. Ware. His role in San Francisco will be exactly that as he will pair up with Gore and change-of-pace speedster Kendall Hunter. Anthony Dixon and his lack of offensive production with now be relegated to special teams, an area where he excels.

Who Benefits

The 49ers, Gore and Jacobs all benefit from this deal. The former has bolstered its corps of RBs by bringing in a third proven back. This deal solidifies Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman's balanced offensive attack with all the recent additions at the wide receiver position.

Furthermore, the Niners' third-down percentage and red-zone efficiency also improves. The team ranked 31st out of 32 teams on converting third downs at a paltry rate of 28 percent. Much of this occurred because of a dearth of wide receivers and Alex Smith taking sacks on third-and-long due to a porous offensive line. Jacobs will aid the conversion of those third-and-shorts that escaped the Niners in 2011.

The same applies to goal-line plays and the 49ers' 30th-ranked red-zone scoring percentage (touchdowns only). Jacobs will help shore up that deficiency as well.

Additionally, Jacob's presence will reduce Gore's touches per game if the need ever arises. Hunter will still receive his carries and plays in the passing game as a speed dynamic for opposing defenses. Jacobs, on the other hand, will help grind out the tough yardage as more of a larger volume runner when Gore needs rest or if he sustains an injury.

For Brandon Jacobs, this deal gives him the opportunity for a fresh start after recording his second-fewest yards in a season (571) and falling out of favor in the Big Apple in 2011. He also joins former teammates Mario Manningham in San Francisco. The familiarity and continuity will aid his transition.

I further see him accepting his role in the 49ers offense because the Giants have clearly evolved into a pass-first team with Eli Manning, Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks. 

Concerning the NFL Draft

Running back is no longer a positional need. The Niners have acquired a beastly and veteran back that will help move the chains, take the load off Gore and fulfill the equally important task of picking up the blitz, as the 49ers surrendered 51 sacks last year (including the postseason).

Trent Baalke can now focus on right guard, wide receiver and depth at safety, defensive line, cornerback and linebacker (both outside and inside) positions.

While the exact contract details are unknown at this time, Jacobs surely comes on the cheap, so the team will still have the resources to sign all of their draft picks.