FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at New Hampshire running back Dylan Laube.
2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Dylan Laube
Dylan Laube (RB – New Hampshire)
5’10” – 208 lbs.
Background:
Redshirted back in 2018, Dylan Laube posted 54-224-1 (4.1) on the ground and 26-367-3 (14.1) receiving while also returning kickoffs in 2019. Played in just one game during the shortened 2020 season, then went 79-501-4 (6.3) the following year before stepping into the lead-back role and enjoying his best season in 2022 — 245-1,205-15 (4.9) rushing and 49-464-2 (9.5) receiving. He totaled 158-715-9 (4.5) on the ground and 68-699-7 (10.3) receiving over 10 starts this past season.
Positives:
Highly productive two-year starter and four-year contributor in a balanced rushing attack. Runs with nice knee-bend, a low center of gravity and a physical style. Patient inside runner. Shows nice lateral quickness in the backfield to shuffle into lanes or make the first defender miss. Makes clean cuts when he recognizes the cutback lane, with good balance; pretty good vision to take advantage of a lack of discipline on the back end. Runs through arm tackles near the sidelines. Competitive after contact, with good leg drive to fight for additional yardage. Consistently falls forward at the end of runs. Ball security has been adequate — nine career fumbles (including two on receptions) against over 700 offensive touches. Very high-volume receiver who took more snaps out of the slot this year. Is effective in space after the catch; the team also tried to scheme him looks from motion, etc. Engages from a solid base and with good extension in pass protection. Has experience returning kicks.
Negatives:
Size is closer to adequate. His game-to-game output varies pretty considerably. Can be a bit more of a horizontal runner than you’d like on off-tackle and outside rushing attempts; would like to see him plant his foot and get upfield a bit faster. Probably more of a chunk runner than a home-run hitter at the next level, speed-wise. Most of his targets as a receiver are within a yard or two of the line of scrimmage. Positioning when working in blitz pickup is still a work in progress. Anchor strength is closer to average.
Summary:
Sort of a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none type whose greatest strengths as a player are his versatility and competitiveness to fight for yardage after contact. While he’s not the biggest, fastest or most elusive runner, he can execute both gap and zone concepts, catch the ball effectively and punish defenders near the boundary, chip defenders and make delayed releases, and return kicks. Probably looks more comfortable as a one-cut runner and on outside zone concepts. A mid-round piece that can do a bit of everything.
Projection: Round 5/Round 6
More 2024 NFL Draft Prospects
Running Backs
- Trey Benson (RB – Florida State)
- MarShawn Lloyd (RB – USC)
- Braelon Allen (RB – Wisconsin)
- Ray Davis (RB – Kentucky)
- Audric Estimé (RB – Notre Dame)
- Will Shipley (RB – Clemson)
- Blake Corum (RB – Michigan)
- Bucky Irving (RB – Oregon)
- Jonathon Brooks (RB – Texas)
- Jaylen Wright (RB – Tennessee)
- Kimani Vidal (RB – Troy)
- Rasheen Ali (RB – Marshall)
- Cody Schrader (RB – Missouri)
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