​At last, a true fullback has rejoined the Las Vegas Raiders’ lineup. After two seasons without one on the roster, head coach Klint Kubiak and general manager John Spytek moved quickly in free agency to land Connor Heyward, the former Pittsburgh Steeler. By reviving a position group that’s increasingly rare in the NFL—roughly 11 to 15 teams still carry a bona fide fullback—the Silver & Black are leaning back into traditional football roots with Heyward.
Not having a fullback in 2024 and 2025 noticeably reshaped the run game for those seasons. And it wasn’t just empty rhetoric from Kubiak when he stressed the importance of a fullback to his offense. Heyward, who served as a tight end/fullback hybrid during his time with the Steelers, was introduced by the Raiders as a fullback and was issued No. 34, a number typically associated with backs in the backfield.
There are several key reasons a fullback is pivotal to Kubiak’s scheme. First is the outside zone pathfinding: while the offensive line’s wide-reaching, horizontal movement is essential, a physical fullback behind them leads, engages defenders, and creates lanes for the running back to exploit. Second is deception and matchup advantages: Kubiak loves a layered, cat-and-mouse approach with opposing defenses, using formations that look similar to disguise Run or Pass. A fullback in the backfield or pre-snap motion makes it harder for the defense to read tendencies, keeping them guessing. Third is play-action effectiveness: a robust ground game forces defenses to respect the run, frequently loading the box. A fullback in the backfield helps sell run action, inviting heavier defensive packages while still enabling receptions from tight ends, receivers, running backs, or even the fullback on play-action passes.
Heyward stands 6 feet tall and weighs 230 pounds, a build suited to both lead blocking and receiving duties. His versatility—evident during his four years with the Steelers—aligns with Kubiak’s vision for Las Vegas, making it reasonable to consider this a role Heyward has earned and will likely hold. He’s the obvious choice to step into this role, at least to begin the season.
But who will back him up at fullback? As noted by our Tristen Kuhn, another versatile option already resides on the Raiders’ roster in undrafted free agent Patrick Gurd. Gurd stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 250 pounds, listed as a tight end but with a background as a blocking fullback during his six-year collegiate career. He split his college career between Ohio State (2020–2024) and Cincinnati (2025), serving as a lead blocker in short-yardage and heavy formations. Gurd’s height and bulk set him apart from Heyward, and his collegiate usage demonstrates he can function effectively in a lead-blocking role.
Gurd’s blocking was the defining feature of his collegiate game, though he also contributed as a receiver, catching five passes for 61 yards across 38 career games. Those statistics suggest a limited but real receiving capability, which could be leveraged in certain formations or two-tight-end sets. The combination of Heyward’s established fullback identity and Gurd’s potential as a backup creates a depth chart that supports Kubiak’s plan to employ a traditional fullback presence while maintaining flexibility and adaptability within the offense.
In summary, the Raiders’ addition of Heyward marks a return to form for a position that’s becoming scarce across the league. Heyward’s blend of lead-blocking prowess and pass-catching ability fits the offensive identity Kubiak wants to cultivate, and his No. 34 assignment signals the team’s intent. With Gurd providing depth at the position, Las Vegas appears prepared to deploy a multifaceted backfield that balances traditional power with versatile matchup options, aiming to strengthen the running game and enhance play-action effectiveness.