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Oakland Raiders: UDFA fullback Alec Ingold could prove to be gold

By Brad Weiss

IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 22: Fullback Alec Ingold #45 of the Wisconsin Badgers breaks a tackle in the first half by linebacker Kristian Welch #34 of the Iowa Hawkeyes on September 22, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 22: Fullback Alec Ingold #45 of the Wisconsin Badgers breaks a tackle in the first half by linebacker Kristian Welch #34 of the Iowa Hawkeyes on September 22, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /
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The Oakland Raiders brought in some talented players as undrafted free agents after the 2019 NFL Draft, and fullback Alec Ingold was certainly one of them.

During the 2019 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders had a bunch of holes to fill, but the fullback position was not one of them. During the 2018 offseason, the Raiders signed Keith Smith away from the Dallas Cowboys, bringing him in on a two-year deal, and reuniting him with special teams coach Rich Bisaccia.

In his first season in the Silver and Black, Smith was solid, playing in all 16 games. However, he will have to fight to retain his starting job this summer, as the Raiders did in fact bring in a rookie after the 2019 NFL Draft ended, signing Wisconsin fullback Alec Ingold.

In Ingold, the Raiders have a guy they are familiar with, as he played for head coach Jon Gruden and staff during the Senior Bowl, and someone they really like. If he has a good summer, do not be surprised if he is the fullback for this team moving forward.

Not only was Ingold a solid fullback for the Badgers, he actually was the highest rated player at his position in the FBS last season according to Pro Football Focus in the two major categories for his position group. Ingold ranked first among all fullbacks in rushing grade, and run blocking grade, so it was a huge surprise he was not drafted.

This is a running back group that will look a bit different in 2019, as they utilized one of their three first round draft picks on Josh Jacobs from Alabama, who is expected to be the feature back as a rookie. Jacobs can make plays happen in the run game, and in the passing game, and is that kind of three-down back that Gruden loves.

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To see that Ingold led the FBS in those two important categories is a bit of a shock, but after seeing the way he works, it is no surprise anymore. This is a position battle that should go on all summer long, and based on Ingold’s skill set, he may be more suited for this offense than Smith is.

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