Raiders 2025: Fullback making a return?

Undrafted free agent Pat Conroy provides glimmer a traditional lead blocker in backfield on horizon for Las Vegas

As one of the final bastions of the traditional fullback position, the Las Vegas Raiders broke a 40-year cycle in 2024 by not deploying a longstanding role with the team.

Whether it was the rugged battering rams the likes of Jon Ritchie, Justin Griffith, or Jakob Johnson to versatile options like Zack Crockett, Marcel Reece, or Alec Ingold, a fullback was present on the Raiders roster.

There wasn’t one this past season under then-head coach Antonio Pierce and then-offensive coordinator Luke Getsy. Instead, the team deployed a tight end as a lead blocker in front of a running back and, overall, we saw the impotence of the offense.

In comes Pete Carroll as head honcho, whose Seattle Seahawks teams traditionally deployed a fullback, and Chip Kelly as the new play caller. Kelly’s history, however, is opposite of Carroll, in regards to fullback.

So, it’ll be interesting to see how things play out.

That said, the Raiders did sign an undrafted free agent fullback/H-back. And the team drafted a very intriguing versatile defender in the sixth round that has lead blocker and power runner potential.

Do the additions of Patrick Conroy and JJ Pegues mean a fullback revival in Las Vegas?

New (Old) Dominion

Standing 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds, Conroy was a hybrid for Old Dominion that has role versatility to his name. He lined up both in the backfield and at in-line tight end. Conroy also lined up wide at times, too.

His blocking ability was apparent in the backfield and as a tight end. He can be both lead blocker and maintain his anchor as pass protector, too.

What stands out about Conroy — that fits how Raiders general manager John Spytek and Carroll selected prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft — is athleticism. His relative athletic score (RAS) was a ludicrous 9.98, which ranks second all-time amongst fullbacks who were athletically scored.

With a 4.68 40-yard dash time, 2.62 20-yard split, and 1.56 10-yard split, along with a 37-inch vertical, Conroy’s athleticism can be seen via numbers and his game tape. It’s his short-area quickness and speed that stands out as a receiver coming out of the backfield or as a tight end and receiver. The Massachusetts native caught 37 passes for 523 yards and five touchdowns, including a long of 75 yards in 2024 with the Monarchs.

Conroy started his collegiate carrier at Merrimack, a private college in Massachusetts. His biggest year there was in 2021 when he caught 19 passes for 445 yards and six touchdowns.

If the undrafted free agent can prove he can be just as versatile with the Raiders this offseason, he has an opportunity to follow in the mold of Griffith and Ingold and be the traditional-style fullback that was absent from the roster in 2024.

Running’ Rebel

Now here’s where it gets interesting.

A stout 6-foot-2 and 309 pounds, Pegues is not only a defensive tackle by trade, he was Ole Miss’ short-yardage running back, too. Taken in the sixth round (180th overall), Pegues was projected to be a Rounds 4-5 prospect who can provide an impactful presence on both sides of the ball — despite a low RAS.

Mississippi head coach (and former Raiders head honcho) Lane Kiffin left no stone unturned on how Pegues helped his football team. Kiffin trusted Pegues with the ball in his hands giving the defensive tackle 21 totes as a tailback with the defender producing 69 yards and seven touchdowns with those carries.

Kiffin also gave Pegues the opportunity to block in the backfield and the defender held his own, although further refinement and repetition is required in that regard.

“Coach Kiffin is a very, very offensive mind and he loves to win and he loves to take advantage of anything. And he actually recruited me when he was at Alabama when I was a tight end in high school,” Pegues said during his media session after being drafted by the Raiders. “And so, he remembered what I could do and he gave me an opportunity one day at practice to run a wildcat and I got 20- something yards on it. And from there, he was like why not use you as a short yardage package and just do what you usually do.

“So, I give it all to him. Shout out him for just allowing me to show that side of what I can do and that ability. And like I said, it definitely helped me on both sides.”

Kelly, who is as creative as a schemer as Kiffin, can concoct plays to take advantage of Pegues versatility. Especially if you can envision Pegues lined up in front of No. 6 overall pick Ashton Jeanty on a select number of plays.

Maximizing the return on investment (even if it’s a sixth-round draft pick) with Pegues demands he get a shot on both sides of the ball. And if he can parlay the collegiate success in the pros, the Raiders could have their new-age Crockett — albeit one that is even bigger than what the former 6-foot-2 and 240-pound fullback brought to the Raiders backfield. From 2000-03, Crockett was a the short-yardage goal line back for the Silver & Black tallying 188 carries for 538 yards and 28 touchdowns during that span (77 first downs gained).