Oakland Raiders: Projected 53-man depth chart for 2019 before OTAs

Running Backs

Josh Jacobs, Doug Martin, Jalen Richard, Chris Warren III, Alec Ingold (fullback) (5)
Surprises: Alec Ingold

Gruden can’t hide his enthusiasm for fullbacks. At his introductory press conference, he asked, “Do we have a fullback?” He said that in rhetorical fashion but made changes at the position, trading Jamize Olawale and a sixth-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys for a fifth-rounder. The Raiders also signed Keith Smith to a two-year, $4.2 million deal.

Smith dropped a crucial pass on fourth down against the Denver Broncos in Week 2, and he didn’t provide much impact on the ground last year. Perhaps Gruden continues to search for a Jon Ritchie-type fullback with solid hands out of the backfield.

Ingold caught 14 passes for 185 yards and four touchdowns through four terms at Wisconsin. He could see more production with additional opportunities to contribute on offense. The former Badger flashed his ability to block in open space and extend those lanes into the second level of an opposing defense.

Although the Raiders acquired Ingold as an undrafted free agent, keep an eye on him through the summer. He could win the starting job at fullback.

Notable Omissions: DeAndre Washington

Washington’s departure seems overdue. After a decent 2016 rookie campaign, he, along with the entire offense, took a step backward in 2017. The Texas Tech product logged 350 yards from scrimmage that year.

During the 2018 offseason, Washington underwent a knee scope; he didn’t log a carry until Week 8. His best performance came against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 11 — 12 carries for 39 yards.

Washington’s modest contributions over the last two years combined with Jacobs’ arrival and Warren’s strong 2018 preseason showing likely ends the third-year running back’s tenure in Oakland. If that’s the case, safety Karl Joseph would be the last draftee left on the roster from the 2016 class.