Falcons name Brandon Fusco the starting right guard

Wes Schweitzer to move to swing guard, backup center

Brandon Fusco, the team’s major offseason free agency pickup, responds to being named the Falcons' starting right guard. (Video by D. Orlando Ledbetter)

Brandon Fusco, the Falcons’ major offseason free agency pickup, was named as the team’s starting right guard by head coach Dan Quinn on Tuesday.

Wes Schweitzer, who started all 18 games last season, will shift to the backup swing guard and backup center, Quinn said.

“Fusco has certainly done a good job to have earned that spot,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “What a competitive battle between him and Wes. That’s why you see Wes some more at center moving forward. As an interior three player, Wes has the ability to play center, right guard and left guard. He’ll be an important part of what we do. I love his competitive style.”

Fusco, 30, was signed to a three-year, $12.5 million contract. He started all 16 games with San Francisco last season.

Fusco, who started his career with Minnesota, has played in 83 NFL games and made 80 starts.

“I’m excited,” Fusco said. “It’s been a long journey. It’s not easy coming from a new team to another, but these guys really made it easy for me. We have a good group of guys ... that work together and showed me the way.”