Raiders Returner Named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week

The Las Vegas Raiders got a big boost from star returner Dylan Laube in their 38-33 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, and Laube was rewarded for his efforts by being selected the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week, per a report from Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk as well as multiple other outlets. 

Laube gave the Raiders a 95-yard kick return for a touchdown early in the second quarter, and his score came at a vital time with the Jets running roughshod over the Raiders defense. The Raiders were down 13-7 at the time, and Laube’s return gave Las Vegas a momentary lead and kept the Raiders in the game. 

The Jets wound up leading 23-14 at the half, but the Raiders stormed from behind in the second half to take the lead and hang on for a crucial win. 

Laube also had 49 yards in returns later in the game as part of his award-winning effort.  

This isn’t anything new from Laube, either. He came into the game leading the league in kickoff return yardage, with an average of 34.1 yards per return. He’s been a pleasant surprise for the Raiders, as Laube consistently gets whatever yardage is available to give Las Vegas good field position, which is important for a team that’s currently relying on its offense to win games. 

Laube has been with the Raiders for three years now, but you’d have to be a hardcore Las Vegas fan to know his name, as he’s mostly been a depth player. He came out of the football hotbed of the University of New Hampshire, where he played for six seasons, and he played his high school football in Westhampton on Long Island. 

His calling card has been his versatility, as he posted over 7,000 all-purpose yards in college while being named the 2023 CAA Special Teams Player of the Year. 

Laube hasn’t gotten many chances to show what he can do, however. He’s been buried by the Raiders’ carousel of coaching changes, but new coach Klint Kubiak saw something in the return man, and he’s being rewarded with some big returns on a play no team has really mastered yet.

The returner could be getting additional opportunities soon as well. Lead running back Ashton Jeanty was demoted to receiving back after making some comments about Jets defenders, and it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see Laube getting some opportunities as a receiver out of the backfield if Jeanty continues to fall out of favor.