Raiders' Dylan Laube is willing to do what a lot of players don't want to if it means making the team

Over the past years, the Las Vegas Raiders have boasted a formidable special teams unit, largely attributed to the caliber of their coaches and players. A standout example is Ameer Abdullah, a running back who not only excelled in returning kicks and punts but also demonstrated his defensive prowess by making tackles.

The Raiders have strategically positioned Abdullah as their third running back, entrusted with the crucial role on third downs as a pass catcher and even runner if necessary. His ability to pass block adds another dimension to his game. The team is confident in his adaptability and open to other players taking on his previous special teams roles.

And they may just have a guy who wants to do that—Dylan Laube, their rookie sixth-round pick, would love to be a special teams player for the Raiders.

"Yeah, first of all, I think special teams is, if not the most important, the most underrated thing in a football game," Laube said when he was drafted. "I mean, we got offense, defense, and also special teams. And I take pride in playing, of course, running back and receiver.

"But also, special teams, I feel like, are what separates me from every running back in this class. And I think me being able to do a bunch of different stuff like kick return, punt return, gunner, jammer. I think I'm able to do so many different things. I'm so excited; I'm just jacked up right now."

The Raiders' special teams were a huge reason the defense was good, too, as they consistently put them in great positions when it was their turn on the field. The special teams unit was also good at helping the offense at times, but that unit would shoot themselves in the foot over and over again, so it almost didn't matter.

Laube's path to the roster will be through special teams. If he is willing to do it, which he is, and he is good at it, which he was in college, then his spot on the 53-man roster could be locked down. Once he makes the roster, you can start talking about him as a potential weapon in the offense, as he can catch the ball and run it. Only time will tell, but we will get our first look at Laube in silver and black on May 10 for rookie minicamp.