INDIANAPOLIS — The Las Vegas Raiders have plenty of holes to fill on a roster that struggled to a 3-14 mark last season, including a position that didn’t exist on the team.
New coach Klint Kubiak prefers to operate his offense with a fullback, which has fallen somewhat out of vogue in the modern era.
The Seattle Seahawks were near the top of the league in fullback usage in 2025, as was the New Orleans Saints team he served as offensive coordinator for the previous season.
Kubiak flashed a sly grin when asked about his affinity for the position at the NFL combine this week.
“It is important,” he said of a fullback as it relates to his system. “You have to find the right guy and if you can find that guy then he becomes a big part of your offense.”
Kubiak has been creative in filling the role in the past. Last season, Seattle drafted Alabama blocking tight end Robbie Ouzts and converted him to fullback.
The previous season, New Orleans already had fullback Adam Prentice on the roster but also utilized versatile playmaker Taysom Hill in the role.
Kubiak is willing to search wherever it takes to find the right candidate.
“They are harder to find,” he admitted. “So that’s the fun part right now, especially in the draft, is seeing who is available and who we can develop. Free agent-wise as well. I’d love to play with a fullback, but you have to play with your best 11. So we’re going to be on the lookout for one for sure.”
One possibility is Max Bredeson, a two-time captain at Michigan.
Bredeson was a high school quarterback who was recruited by the Wolverines to play tight end and eventually moved to more of a hybrid H-back role before being named the 2025 Lowman Trophy Award winner as the top fullback in the nation according to Barstool Sports.
“I take pride in that I can play anywhere on the field,” he said Friday at the combine. “I like being the make-it-right guy. If something has to be done right, I can do it.”
Bredeson had a formal meeting with the Raiders this week in Indianapolis.
“It was great,” he said of the experience. “A lot of great people in that room. It was fun just being able to talk football. I always love being around football guys and that’s a great place. It was really special.”
Bredeson’s potential transition to the Raiders offense could be eased by his work under then-Michigan offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey, who incorporated a wide zone running scheme somewhat similar to the one taught by Kubiak.
“He brought a lot of new ways to use me,” Bredeson said.
Bredeson would bring his tight end background to make him a threat as a pass-catcher, a plus in Kubiak’s system. He’s also a top special teams performer, which is an absolute must for someone who would theoretically play only about a quarter of the snaps on offense.
“You have to be able to add value to your team,” he said.
There is also a family connection. His brother Ben, an offensive lineman, signed as a free agent with Tampa Bay in 2024 when Raiders general manager John Spytek worked in the Buccaneers front office.
Regardless of whether it’s Bredeson, another draft pick or a free-agent signing, the Raiders are very likely to have a fullback on the roster.
The biggest change could be experienced by running back Ashton Jeanty, who mostly operated in a single-back set as a rookie.
He told the Review-Journal at the Super Bowl he is open to whatever helps jumpstart the offense.
“I think it could be great,” he said. “Whatever way to design the plays to make them explosive is something I like, so I’m all for it.”
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.