Dylan Laube NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for New Hampshire RB
Apr 10, 2024
MOBILE, AL - FEBRUARY 03: National running back Dylan Laube of New Hampshire (40) during the 2024 Reese's Senior Bowl on February 3, 2024 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 5'10"
WEIGHT: 206
HAND: 9¼"
ARM: 29⅜"
WINGSPAN: 71⅛"
40-YARD DASH: 4.54
3-CONE: 6.84
SHUTTLE: 4.02
VERTICAL: 37"
BROAD: 9'10"
POSITIVES
— Impressive foot quickness. Can redirect himself or even bounce plays in a hurry.
— Above-average acceleration. Bursts through the line of scrimmage efficiently.
— Flashes the ability to make someone miss in space. Solid lateral explosiveness.
— Highly experienced and versatile receiving weapon. Used all over the formation at New Hampshire.
NEGATIVES
— Stiff in the hips. Lacks the flexibility to turn a tight corner and immediately cut up the field.
— Average speed at best. Doesn't quite have an extra gear that will be a threat in the NFL.
— Below-average strength and contact balance. Not a strong, physical runner by any means.
— Tendency to bounce plays early. Maybe a product of sub-FBS offensive line play, but will present a learning curve either way.
Dylan Laube is a short, old running back prospect with just enough juice and receiving flexibility to be of interest to NFL teams.
Laube is less of a traditional running back and more of a "space" player. Even as a runner, he handles himself much better on the edge and in space than between the tackles.
Laube wins with solid burst and quick feet. He is able to seamlessly change rushing lanes at the drop of a hat, and he has the instant acceleration to erase angles. Likewise, Laube flashes the ability to make a quick jump cut to leave a defender whiffing at air, though that isn't a core part of his game.
Most of Laube's value is in the receiving game. Thanks to his quick feet and short-area burst, Laube is a lethal receiver underneath. New Hampshire even made it a point to line him up as a wide receiver regularly, asking him to run a myriad of quick-hitting routes. That versatility will be his calling card in the NFL.
However, Laube's rushing profile leaves a lot to be desired.
Laube is relatively thick at 206 pounds, but there's very little balance and power to his game. He is not a commanding downhill runner at all. Worse yet, Laube hardly tries to be one. He is not a decisive or aggressive runner between the tackles. He far too often looks to bounce plays to get to the perimeter.
Laube also doesn't have the speed you might expect of a short runner. His initial acceleration is nice, but he can't find that extra gear to be a real weapon.
Laube is an intriguing idea. The burst and receiving flexibility he offers could be useful to an NFL team. At the same time, Laube doesn't feel like a "real" running back right now and will need a lot of development with how he runs between the tackles. That's a tough spot to be in for a prospect who will turn 25 as a rookie.
GRADE: 5.3 (Backup/UDFA with Roster Potential — UDFA)
