These are the best NFL fullbacks in the world
The following list is compiled from various trusted sources such as PFF, SportsShow and playersbio.
9. Jamize Olawale
Jamize Olawale is an American NFL fullback who last represented the Dallas Cowboys. Besides, the 33-year-old has also played for another NFL team, Oakland Raiders.
Currently he is a free agent.
Moreover, Olawale played for the University of North Texas in his collegiate football career. Before that, Olawale represented the Long Beach Polytechnic High School in his childhood.
Having signed a three-year $5.4 million contract extension in March 2019, Jamize had a decent outing with the Cowboys. Not to mention, he completed more than 65 rushing attempts and 206 rushing yards.
Additionally, he has also recorded seven touchdowns in the NFL. On the other hand, Olawale made his mark playing as a tight end for the El Camino College.
After the lucrative contract extension, the Cowboys released Jamize on March 10, 2021.
8. Andy Janovich
Andy Janovich was born on May 23, 1993 and an American fullback who plays for the Cleveland Browns. Moreover, Andy also represented the Denver Broncos before moving to the Browns.
Before his NFL days, Janovich played for the Nebraska University in his collegiate football career. To step even further back, the kid from Nebraska played for the Gretna High School during his schooling.
In mid-October 2019, Andy signed a $5.7 million contract with the Denver Broncos. Unfortunately, he suffered a terrible elbow injury which sidelined him for the rest of the year.
Meanwhile, he made seven appearances and recorded five receptions for 42 receiving yards. Additionally, he also had one rushing touchdown during his final season for the Broncos.
Finally, 28-year-old was traded to the Cleveland Browns on March 20, 2020.
7. Derek Watt
Derek Watt is an American fullback who plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Secondly, Watt moved to the Steelers in 2020 after signing a three-year deal worth $9.75 million from the Los Angeles Chargers.
Before stepping into the NFL, 29 played collegiate football for the University of Wisconsin. Furthermore, he played for the Pewaukee High School in his schooling days.
Not to mention, Watt was named the High School All-American in 2010. Currently reunited with his brother T.J Watt, Derek looks to cement himself in the Steelers lineup.
However, it has not been easy for Watt. During a match on December 21, 2020, Watt was knocked out as a gunner. Moreover, he was concussed after being blocked into Alex Erickson on a punt return.
On the other hand, Watt was an integral part of his former club during the 2016 season. What’s more, he played in all sixteen games and had four receptions for 83 receiving yards.
6. Patrick Ricard
Falling on number 6, Patrick Ricard is an American fullback currently representing the Baltimore Ravens. Moreover, the young and talented fullback is steadily rising in the ranks.
Following an undrafted summer, Ricard signed with the Ravens on May 5, 2017. After putting in solid performances, Ricard extended his contract on a two-year deal on December 3, 2019.
Ricard has been a steady performer for the Ravens throughout his career. Additionally, he was rated the 30th best defensive tackle in the 2017 NFL Draft by NFLDraftScout
27 years old partially blocked a 49-yard field goal attempt against the New York Jets which ranked him as good defensive . Furthermore, he completed the regular season with eight catches for 47 yards and a touchdown.
5. Keith Smith
Rating at number 5, Alton Keith Smith Jr. is an American fullback who plays for the Atlanta Falcons. Born on April 8, 1992, Smith is one of the sturdiest fullbacks in the league.
Before entering the NFL, the California-born athlete played for the San Jose State University in his collegiate career. Likewise, going even further back, he represented Charter Oak High School for his high school football.
Moreover, Smith started his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys. After four seasons with the team of Cowboys, Smith signed for the Oakland Raiders on March 15, 2018. Later on, Atlanta Falcons stepped in and signed the talented fullback to replace the injured Ricky Ortiz.
The 30-year-old has made sixteen appearances for the Falcons. Additionally, Smith has made seven starts and recorded carries for seven yards and eleven receptions for 59 yards.
4. Kyle Juszczyk
Kyle Patrick Juszczyk is an American fullback who currently plays for the San Francisco 49ers. Moreover, he moved to the 49ers after representing the Baltimore Ravens from 2013 to 2016.
Furthermore, the highly impressive fullback has a stellar resume to go along with his tremendous playstyle. He has featured in the Pro Bowl, a total of four times as of now. Additionally, he also cemented his name in the Honorable Menton All-Ivy in 2010.
Looking back, Kyle played for Harvard University during his collegiate football career. Likewise, he represented the Cloverleaf High School in Lodi, Ohio, during his childhood career.
Recently, Juszczyk signed a five-year contract extension with the 49ers worth $27 million.
3. C.J Ham
Cortez Thaddeus Ham Jr., or C.J Ham, is an American fullback who plays for the Minnesota Vikings. Moreover, the 28-year-old currently occupies the number 3 position in the PFF NFL Player Grades for fullbacks.
Ham was a star from a very young age. What’s more, he played for the Duluth Denfeld High School, where he dominated on the field.
Furthermore, the enthusiastic fullback only blossomed further. Moreover, Ham was a four-year letter-winner in football in his college days. The Minnesota-born athlete attended Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
On the other hand, Ham started his professional career in 2016. First, he participated in the Minnesota Vikings rookie minicamp. But, despite starting as a running back, C.J switched to being a full-time fullback in 2017. He has not looked back ever since.
After impressive starts, Ham has cemented himself as a prominent name in the league. So much so that the Vikings extended his contract on a three-year deal worth $12.25 million in 2020.
2. Jakob Johnson
On to our top 2, Jakob Elijah Johnson is a German professional fullback who plays for the New England Patriots.
Born in Stuttgart, Johnson moved to the United States as a senior in high school. Moreover, he played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers before joining the Patriots as a part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program.
Before moving to the States, Johnson played for the Stuttgart Scorpions of the German Football League in the under-19 division. He then moved to Florida, Jacksonville, in his senior year. Furthermore, he was a four-star recruit in high school.
After his graduation, Johnson went back to Germany. Moreover, he played for the Stuttgart Scorpions for a year in 2018.
Following that, the German fullback stepped into the NFL through the International Player Pathway Program. Not to mention, he was signed by the New England Patriots on 8 April 2019.
Also, he recorded one reception for five yards in the 2019 season. Furthermore, he took 94 total snaps, with 71 on offense and 23 on special teams.
Then, in the 2020 season, he scored his first professional touchdown on a one-yard touchdown reception from Cam Newton. What’s more, he became the first player from the International Player Pathway to score a touchdown in the NFL.
Lastly, the Patriots re-signed Johnson to a one-year contract on 25 March 2021.
- Alec Ingold
Topping the list, Alec Ingold is an American fullback who plays for the Las Vegas Raiders. Moreover, regarded as one of the most talented fullbacks, Ingold is proving his immense potential.
Before NFL, the Wisconsin-born athlete initially committed to play quarterback for Northern Illinois. However, he later joined the University of Wisconsin.
What’s more, he started his career as a linebacker for Wisconsin before moving to the fullback position in his Sophomore year.
Moving further back, Ingold played for the Bay Port High school as a dual-threat quarterback. Furthermore, he shone in that role, being named the Associated Press Wisconsin Player of the Year and the Gatorade Wisconsin Player of the Year his senior year.
Starting his NFL career, Ingold signed with the Oakland Raiders (now Las Vegas Raiders) on May 3, 2019. Since his start for the club, he has made the position his own.
Not to mention, Ingold was the Las Vegas Raiders nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2020.
