Confidence for an NFL player can be fleeting.
We’ve seen it plenty of times, once composure begins to erode, it’s an avalanche. Ego, pride, self esteem, all out the window.
For Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube, this most definitely could’ve been the case. Granted, expectations for a sixth-round pick — the New Hampshire tailback was selected 208th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft — tend to be in the cellar, not even the ground floor. Yet, as a productive all-purpose back — one that can carry and catch the rock out of the backfield along with being a return and coverage man on special teams — the 5-foot-9 and 204-pound FCS product provided the Silver & Black a tantalizing late-round prospect.
It took one carry to put Laube in the doghouse last season. On his first-ever rush attempt in Week 6, Pittsburgh Steelers all-pro edge rusher TJ Watt punched the ball out of the Raiders running back’s arms. Laube didn’t see another snap on offense until the regular season finale finishing with one carry for zero yards and a fumble on his offensive stat sheet.
The turnover was so egregious to Las Vegas coaching staff then that Laube didn’t see the field again until Week 12 against the Denver Broncos. He was relegated to special teams from that point on producing six kick returns for 164 yards (long of 59) and three tackles.
But, this year, new regime, new slate.
“It was fun. It was fun, especially with the fresh start too with new staff and just kind of a brand new team too. Man, it was so fun to kind of get a new, fresh start,” Laube said when asked about the new staff and having a clean slate this offseason. “And, yeah, man, it’s been a long year, and it’s been a couple months since I actually went in a live game. So it was definitely just a nice little relief on my end. So yeah, it was good.”
Laube is clear of the doghouse he inhabited his rookie season and is in grinding to make the team. The 25-year-old has no prior ties to general manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll and, as such, making an impression is integral to the tailback’s roster chances.
Carroll, who is all about competition — hence the term “comPETE” — has definitely taken notice of Laube.
“I didn’t. I didn’t know. Someone on the roster when I looked at the board the first time, and he has really been kind of the epitome of a great competitor so far,” Carroll said when asked if he new about Laube before becoming Las Vegas’ head coach. “All the way through the lead in OTA sessions and all of that, he always stood out with his effort, with his finish and all of that. He’s been kind of a prized part of the special teams because of his attitude and the intensity that he brings. And then he’s showing it in the games, showed it in the mock game too. Both chances that he’s had, he’s made a big statement that he’s fighting for a place on this team.”
And Carroll’s incarnation of the Raiders coaching staff is giving the running back every opportunity to prove them right or wrong and Laube responded.
In Las Vegas preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks, Laube earned five carries (churned out 34 yards with a long of 25) along with one catch for a six-yard touchdown and a special teams tackle. In the Raiders’ second exhibition matchup — with the San Francisco 49ers this past Saturday — Laube had two carries for five yards and another special teams tackle.
This offseason is a far cry from Laube’s rookie campaign — in two ways. First, the ball security issues that were on full display for Laube in both college and camp/practices have lessened, if not disappeared. And second, this Raiders coaching staff appears to welcome growing pains and learning lessons instead of locking up players and throwing away the key.
The renewed vigor is a byproduct of the culture Carroll brought to the desert. Time will tell if that’ll eventually translate to wins when the regular season arrives. But the vibe is a 180-degree turn from previous Raiders regimes.
“Yeah, definitely, and I think that kind of revolves around Coach Carroll too, because he’s bringing that juice every single day, and I kind of bounce off that too because I love bringing the juice every single day. And yeah, man, it’s been such a cool camp,” Laube explained when asked about the momentum and energy he’s displayed this offseason. “It’s been so much fun this last month or so. Man, it’s been so crazy with the competition, and we just been competing every single day, and we brought it out there on Thursday.”
It’s in Laube’s best interest to continue showcasing his versatility, especially as a core special teamer. Las Vegas released it’s depth chart ahead of the team’s preseason finale against the Arizona Cardinals this Saturday and Laube is listed under the “Other” category on the running back chart.
Ashton Jeanty, the Raiders’ sixth overall pick in the 2025 draft, is listed as the starter, Zamir White or Raheem Mostert as the backup, Chris Collier as third team, and then Laube and Sincere McCormick as other. Laube is also listed as the third team kick return man, but these preseason depth charts can often be taken with a grain of salt.
Come August 26, when the Raiders and the rest of the 31 NFL teams make the staggering cut from 90-man to 53-man rosters, depth charts will begin to look more representative of the regular season.
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