Silver And Black Pride
Undrafted free agent Pat Conroy provides glimmer a traditional lead blocker in backfield on horizon for Las Vegas
As one of the final bastions of the traditional fullback position, the Las Vegas Raiders broke a 40-year cycle in 2024 by not deploying a longstanding role with the team.
Whether it was the rugged battering rams the likes of Jon Ritchie, Justin Griffith, or Jakob Johnson to versatile options like Zack Crockett, Marcel Reece, or Alec Ingold, a fullback was present on the Raiders roster.
There wasn’t one this past season under then-head coach Antonio Pierce and then-offensive coordinator Luke Getsy. Instead, the team deployed a tight end as a lead blocker in front of a running back and, overall, we saw the impotence of the offense.
In comes Pete Carroll as head honcho, whose Seattle Seahawks teams traditionally deployed a fullback, and Chip Kelly as the new play caller. Kelly’s history, however, is opposite of Carroll, in regards to fullback.
So, it’ll be interesting to see how things play out.
That said, the Raiders did sign an undrafted free agent fullback/H-back. And the team drafted a very intriguing versatile defender in the sixth round that has lead blocker and power runner potential.
Do the additions of Patrick Conroy and JJ Pegues mean a fullback revival in Las Vegas?
Standing 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds, Conroy was a hybrid for Old Dominion that has role versatility to his name. He lined up both in the backfield and at in-line tight end. Conroy also lined up wide at times, too.
His blocking ability was apparent in the backfield and as a tight end. He can be both lead blocker and maintain his anchor as pass protector, too.
What stands out about Conroy — that fits how Raiders general manager John Spytek and Carroll selected prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft — is athleticism. His relative athletic score (RAS) was a ludicrous 9.98, which ranks second all-time amongst fullbacks who were athletically scored.
With a 4.68 40-yard dash time, 2.62 20-yard split, and 1.56 10-yard split, along with a 37-inch vertical, Conroy’s athleticism can be seen via numbers and his game tape. It’s his short-area quickness and speed that stands out as a receiver coming out of the backfield or as a tight end and receiver. The Massachusetts native caught 37 passes for 523 yards and five touchdowns, including a long of 75 yards in 2024 with the Monarchs.
Conroy started his collegiate carrier at Merrimack, a private college in Massachusetts. His biggest year there was in 2021 when he caught 19 passes for 445 yards and six touchdowns.
If the undrafted free agent can prove he can be just as versatile with the Raiders this offseason, he has an opportunity to follow in the mold of Griffith and Ingold and be the traditional-style fullback that was absent from the roster in 2024.
Now here’s where it gets interesting.
A stout 6-foot-2 and 309 pounds, Pegues is...
