Las Vegas Raiders training camp is fully underway right now, and Dylan Laube has already received an immense amount of praise from many.
Raiders insider Hondo Carpenter has expressed his emotions towards the sixth-round pick publicly. “He’s the kind of guy you have to create space for to be on the field,” Carpenter said.
Antonio Pierce, Laube’s head coach, expressed his enthusiasm for the running back out of New Hampshire as well. “That dude is special,” Pierce said. “He’s going to be a difficult matchup and it’s already showing in practice.”
These are just a few quotes that have surfaced during Laube’s brief time with the Raiders.
His practice play time has been noticeably increasing, indicating that he will likely have a role this season. He has demonstrated that he will compete to be the second punch in the running back room. Given that he comes from a small school, it is important to learn more about him as a player. It is possible the Raiders hit a home run in the sixth round.
Strengths for Raiders RB Dylan Laube
To start, one of the most notable assets to his game is the receiving ability. It is possible for Laube to be the best pass-catching running back in this past draft. Against Central Michigan in 2023, he set a school-record with 295 receiving yards out of the backfield.
His receiving numbers are not simply screen or flat routes that break for large gains. What is remarkable about this aspect of his game is the ability as a slot receiver. For example, it was not rare for Laube to line up in the slot and utilize his IQ on option routes.
Once the ball is in his possession, he can be dynamic with his elusiveness. The subtle jump cuts and quick feet allow for him to maneuver swiftly around defenders with ease. Furthermore, Laube possesses great lateral agility in order to squeeze in tighter holes in the run game.
If he is unable to contribute on offense, he definitely can contribute on special teams. In 2023, he returned two kicks for touchdowns despite not always being the primary returner. For his spectacular performances on special teams, Laube earned a First Team All-Conference award as a returner.
Areas where Dylan Laube can improve…
At 210 pounds, he is not among the largest players on the field, especially considering his height of 5-foot-10 inches. Though he does have a low center of gravity, he lacks the power to gain extra yardage after contact. He currently does not have the strength to finish through contact, especially with professional linebackers.
Because of his size, he is limited in his ability to be an all-down running back. The film shows he knows he shouldn’t run between the tackles. Occasionally, Laube would avoid attacking inside gaps and escaping outside unnecessarily.
Pass blocking will obviously not come readily due to his stature. This was already a weakness in college and will probably intensify on the professional level. His lack of size contributes to many of his weaknesses, which are fixable.
What’s a good comparison for the Raiders running back?
Besides his lack of physicality, Laube is an explosive and versatile player that can impact any team. His speed is neither a strength nor a weakness, as he should be somewhere in the middle of the pack. In his rookie season, he will probably have a role on special teams and passing downs.
A ceiling comparison should be a less physical Alvin Kamara.
*Top Photo: Getty Images
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