Rookie running back is showing upside in the preseason
The Las Vegas Raiders didn’t have an immediate need at the running back position going into the draft. After signing Alex Mattison and re-signing Ameer Abdullah it felt like the offensive backfield was set for the season.
However, in the sixth round, the Raiders decided to add a player to the group. They drafted Dylan Laube out of FCS New Hampshire University. Laube was a Senior Bowl week standout and was productive in New Hampshire. He displayed a clear role as a third-down back at the next level with his rushing and receiving ability. The perfect example was his 295 receiving yards in 2023 when facing Central Michigan.
Laube has had a successful training camp as well. He has got opportunities to play with the first-team offense with rave reviews from the media on his performance on the practice field.
When the games started the Raiders hadn’t been heavy in the run game and Laube hadn’t been getting many opportunities to exhibit his skills. Laube is averaging 2.7 yards per carry and hasn’t had a catch. There have been instances where Laube could have been targeted on certain play calls but the ball did not go his way.
When it comes to the run game the run blocking hasn’t been efficient for Laube but he has shown more patience than he did in college. On the run below, the Raiders will be running lead power with Laube following the fullback. He does a great job of setting up the linebackers before hitting the hole. Jordan Merideth and Thayer Munford have a communication issue on who to block which leaves a defensive lineman untouched. Laube still was able to get four yards on the play.
On this next run, we see the elusiveness of the former New Hampshire running back. It is a duo run on this carry with the Cowboys sending a run blitz to counter. Laube has a free runner coming right at him but he leaves the linebacker in the dust with a juke move. He was able to change a loss on the play into a positive gain.
As a pass catcher, vs the Cowboys the Raiders started to use him as a receiver. The first play was on 4th and 6 during Gardner Minshew’s last drive. Laube is the backfield to the right of Minshew and will be running a choice route. Minshew throws to an open Harrison Bryant instead but Laube reads the leverage correctly and is open for a first down or maybe more.
Another great route was on a 3rd and 4 during the third-quarter touchdown drive. Laube is running an angle route out of the backfield and does a great job selling the flat. The route gets the linebacker off balance and Laube is wide open in the middle of the field. Aidan O’Connell throws to DJ Turner instead.
Laube displays the potential that led to him being drafted on tape. When he has the chance to make plays in the passing game he can contribute to the offense. Also, with patience, he can maybe become an Austin Ekler type of back who can run and catch passes.