As an undrafted rookie, Alec Ingold more than held his own in 2019. He beat out well-regarded veteran Keith Smith for the lone fullback position on the team. He played a key role in the success of Josh Jacobs’s rookie season and was named a Pro-Bowl alternate last year. With that in mind, expect Ingold’s role to expand in the 2020 season.
In 2019, Ingold was the third-best fullback according to Pro Football Focus. He ended the season with 210 snaps, and only the 49ers and the Vikings had a higher count, 510 and 380 respectively. Ingold led all fullbacks with 10 rushing attempts and was second in yards with 17.
According to Michael Wagaman of the Associated Press, Ingold’s first six carries resulted in six first-downs and was a driving force in Jacob’s seven-touchdown season.
During his tenure in Tampa Bay, current Raiders head coach Jon Gruden utilized fullback Mike Alstott in a multitude of ways and was a key part of the Buccaneers offense. Whether it was as a blocker, a short-yardage player, or in the passing game, he loves fullbacks.
Moreover, he’s not shy about it. At his re-introductory press conference in 2018, Gruden made it known to reporters.
“I would like to have a fullback,” Gruden said. “They’re a dying breed in football. But I think it does give your running game a lot of deception.“
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Currently, there doesn’t seem to be a true change of pace running back on the Raiders roster. Jacobs is set to be the bell cow while Jalen Richard’s niche is in the passing game. Likewise, Rod Smith’s main role is on special teams. The team brought in Devontae Booker in free agency. Nevertheless, he could never find a starting role in his tenure with the Broncos. Las Vegas drafted Lynn Bowden Jr, but they will use him in a multipurpose role. Ingold has been making the most of an unusual offseason and is eager to take the next step in his second season with the Raiders. He’s trained with Brian Bott in Wisconsin and as of late, he’s been in Las Vegas working with a number of offensive players including Derek Carr, Darren Waller, Zay Jones, and more.
“You know, in the first quarter everybody can hit hard, but being able to hit hard in the fourth quarter and keep that same explosion and then take it a step further and develop in the passing game, develop mentally in the blocking schemes,” said Ingold. “All of that is kind of the emphasis of this offseason and just trying to become as well rounded as possible.”
Here are some links to Ingold’s offseason work:
As the sole fullback on the Raiders roster, Ingold can play the position the way Gruden loves.
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Top Photo: Mike Roamer/Las Vegas Review-Journal