Welcome to SKOL Search!
This series will be your guide to the 2024 draft class. From scouting reports to mock drafts and exploring different scenarios, we will be covering the NFL draft and the future of the Minnesota Vikings from all angles.
The focus of the draft class in this space will be on the Vikings’ major needs at quarterback, running back, defensive line and edge rusher. We will also focus on wide receiver since it’s a loaded class and an increased chance to get a Stefon Diggs-type steal in the later rounds.
The Vikings are slated to have 9 picks going into the NFL draft and they need to make the most out of them.
Background
Dylan Laube
- New Hampshire
- Height-5100
- Weight-208 lbs
- Fifth-year Senior
- Unranked as a recruit per 247 Sports
- Stats: 537 rush, 2,692 yards, 28 touchdowns, 197 targets, 155 receptions, 1,654 yards, 10.7 YPR, 14 touchdowns
- Games watched: Central Michigan 2023, Towson 2023, Dartmouth 2023
Strengths
Laube has a stout frame. He looks like a running back from 1998 a la Robert Smith.
Displays quick feet in all aspects of his game. When he hits the hole, Laube can make cuts quickly by setting his feet and exploding off of either leg.
Is a true dual threat as both a runner and a receiver. New Hampshire trusted him to be a real slot receiver, running hitches, outs and slot fades. When running routes, he does so like a wide receiver. Shows really good releases at the LOS and dips his hips on breaking routes like a wide receiver.
Displays quality vision in zone concepts. Can hit the cutback lane with precision and burst.
Get a lot of yards after contact. 406 (54.4%) of his 745 yards in 2023 came after contact and forced 51 total missed tackles between his 68 receptions and 161 rushes.
Weaknesses
Real concerns about Laube’s speed. Struggled to get the edge against lesser competition but was able to gain separation past the second level when he got into the open field.
As an overall athlete, I have questions about how well he will test. Playing at the FCS level, he looks like a fine athlete but stands out mostly due to skill and not high-end athleticism.
Only had nine drops in his career but six of them came in 2023 when he had 88 of his 197 targets. Is it a real concern or just an oddity? There was a little too much body catching for my liking on tape but it’s something to be aware of.
Pass blocking is inconsistent. Too often lunges in pass protection, giving up leverage and strength in the process.
Overview
| Vision | 8.0/10 |
| Cutback | 7.7/10 |
| Long Speed | 3.5/5 |
| Contact Balance | 8.1/10 |
| Pass Blocking | 7.9/10 |
| Break/Avoid Tackles | 12.6/15 |
| Durability | 7.8/10 |
| Receiving | 8.8/10 |
| Quickness | 7.7/10 |
| Ball Security | 7.5/10 |
| Grade | 79.6/100 Third Round |
Laube is the fourth member of the All-Forno team. What an impressive player he is as a running back. You don’t see many players who can attack down the field like a wide receiver and run real wide receiver routes out of the slot with effectiveness consistently. His testing is going to be huge moving forward, especially due to level of competition.
