Why does Klint Kubiak value a fullback with the Raiders?

The Las Vegas Raiders have reintroduced a fullback to their roster after two seasons without one, a move directed by offensive manager Klint Kubiak. Dylan Laube had not lined up in an offense featuring a fullback earlier this season, marking the first such situation for the franchise under Kubiak. “To beryllium honorable with you, they fundamentally marque the spread and I conscionable follow,” helium said aft signifier recently. Kubiak’s zone‑run, play‑action offensive scheme relies on the often‑overlooked backfield position. In 2025, 13 of the league’s 32 teams carried a fullback, including nine of the 14 playoff participants—among them Kubiak’s former Super Bowl‑winning Seattle Seahawks, where he served as offensive coordinator. During that season, a fullback was on the field for 261 of the Raiders’ 1,064 offensive snaps, a presence Kubiak deems critical to the physicality and optionality he wants from Las Vegas. To actualize that vision this offseason, the Raiders signed fullback Connor Heyward away from the AFC North champion Pittsburgh Steelers. “In our scheme, it’s a precise versatile player,” Kubiak said. “Guy that plays choky end. That plays fullback. That tin walk (protect). That has to beryllium a core-four peculiar teams player. He’s got to beryllium 1 of the smartest players connected your team. We’re going to support (Heyward) getting better.&rdquo Modern NFL offenses frequently discard the fullback in favor of tight ends or running backs as the passing game has evolved. While fullbacks can establish a physical tone—acting akin to inferior linemen—they often lack the speed or quickness of other skill positions. Kubiak’s appreciation for the role aligns with his emphasis on a potent rushing attack; last season the Raiders ranked third in the NFL with 507 rushing attempts. “Running the shot is important,” helium said. “I deliberation it’s a immense portion of winning shot games. Running the ball. Stopping the tally connected defense.&rdquo In Kubiak’s system, a fullback may lead‑block for a running back bursting up the middle or off tackle, create leakouts on play‑action passes to the flats, or step into pass protection to stonewall blitzers. His pre‑snap alignment can also disrupt defensive reads. Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler elaborated: “Depends connected the scheme. Depends connected however they usage him. … If they insert a fullback into the enactment of scrimmage, whether they question him backmost out, bring him backmost successful and the insert him betwixt the tackle and the defender oregon the tackle and choky extremity oregon whatever, that tin beryllium analyzable due to the fact that it creates an other spread that you mightiness not relationship for.&rdquo Because fullbacks see limited touches, the