The Las Vegas Raiders need all the blocking help they can get right now, so they signed fullback Cameron Heyward.
The Las Vegas Raiders got running back Ashton Jeanty some much-need blocking help this week, signing fullback Connor Heyward to a two-year deal, with the move reported by Ben Levine of ProFootballRumors.com via Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The contract comes with a maximum value of $5.5 million, with $2 million fully guaranteed.
Heyward has spent his entire career with the Pittsburgh Steelers after being drafted in the sixth round by the Steelers in 2022. Reliability has been one of his calling cards, according to Levine, as he hasn’t missed a game so far in four seasons. The Steelers used him as a receiver early in his career, with Heyward’s high-water mark being 23 receptions back in 2023. Since then, though, he’s posted just nine catches.
But Heyward added some wild-card work to his resume this past season, which might be of interest to innovative new coach Klint Kubiak. He finished the year with just 15 carries for 43 yards and two touchdowns, but Pro Football Focus has given the fullback some elite grades for his pass blocking, Levine added.
The Steelers were supposedly interested in bringing Heyward back, according to Rapaport, but Kubiak wanted to add him to his offense. Heyward’s likely role will be to help open holes for Jeanty, and he’ll also be tasked with protecting prospective new quarterback Fernando Mendoza and whoever else the Raiders sign as a possible bridge or backup QB.
The Raiders haven’t had a productive fullback for some time, so this will be a new look for them. You’d have to go back to the days of Josh McDaniels as head coach to find legitimate emphasis on the position, but McDaniels’ tenure was so messy that production didn’t end up being part of the equation.
Given the minimal money investment here, this move shouldn’t affect the continuing overhaul of the offensive line. Left tackle Kolton Miller is expected to be back and healthy after an injury-marred season last year, and the Raiders just signed center Tyler Linderbaum to a record breaking deal for three-years, $81 million, with $60 million guaranteed.
The Raiders likely aren’t done with this overhaul, either. The offensive line was one of the worst units in the league according to just about every available metric, and while there probably won’t be any more major signings, the Raiders will almost certainly emphasize the position in the upcoming draft.
Las Vegas was hoping to have extra draft capital to possibly invest in this position group, but the recent scuttling of the trade to send defensive end Maxx Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens may have put those plans on hold.