Laiatu Latu NFL Draft Overview
Position: Edge Defender
Height: 6′-5″
Weight: 259 pounds
School: UCLA
2024 NFL Draft: Laiatu Latu Scouting Report
After spending the past five seasons playing in the NCAA, edge defender Laiatu Latu has officially declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. The UCLA product is joining the pros after a dominant season in which he recorded 49 tackles, 21.5 tackles-for-loss, 13 sacks, and two interceptions while earning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Laiatu Latu began his college football journey in Washington. As a true freshman, the edge defender appeared in eight games while recording 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss, and 0.5 sacks. However, his career took a turn for the worse when he suffered a career-threatening neck injury in 2021 spring practices. Washington wouldn’t clear him, so he transferred to UCLA for his final two years of eligibility.
Strengths
- Technically gifted beyond his years – film is littered with teach tape;
- Insane snap reaction lets him get to offensive linemen before they’re ready for him;
- Hand placement maximizes leverage and gives him easier paths to the quarterback;
- Has multiple well-developed pass rushing moves – tackles never know what’s coming;
- Far too quick for guards when lined up inside on passing downs.
Weaknesses
- Needs to pass medical examination – Washington thought he’d have to retire following neck injury;
- Good but not great athleticism caps ceiling;
- 16th percentile wingspan will make it difficult for him to engage offensive tackles;
- Unremarkable anchor makes him nothing special in the run game;
- Smaller than your average edge defender – could struggle against bigger guys.
Projection: Round 1
Teams With Need At Position: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bears
NFL Comparison: Trey Flowers
Laiatu Latu NFL Draft Bottom Line
Laiatu Latu is one of the most pro-ready players in the 2024 NFL Draft. A gifted technician, Latu’s hand placement and fundamentals as a pass rusher means he should be frequently getting after the quarterback from Day 1. Most veterans aren’t as polished as he is, and his varied movements mean that tackles can’t just lock in on one or two rushes. They’ll never know what’s coming, which should only boost Latu’s production.
Laiatu Latu racked up 13 sacks last year because collegiate offensive tackles didn’t have the athleticism to compensate for their technical deficiencies. NFL tackles will be more athletic than Latu, and this will probably keep him from becoming an annual 10-sack player. Latu’s athleticism is nothing special, and his below-average wingspan means he will be working at a disadvantage. Some positions can produce elite players with unremarkable athleticism, but edge defender is not one of them.
This isn’t to say Latu cannot have a long and successful career – he probably will – but you shouldn’t expect him to win All-Pro honors. This will probably prevent him from being a top-15 pick, but any team selecting in the back half of the first round should be thrilled to add a player capable of making a Day 1 impact like Laiatu Latu.
Of course, this all comes with a massive injury disclaimer. It’s hard to overstate how serious Latu’s neck injury was back in Washington. NFL teams must do their homework before they are comfortable with selecting Laiatu Latu in the 2024 NFL Draft. If his neck can hold up, then he should have a long career as a good but not great pass rusher.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
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