2024 NFL Draft prospect profile: Laiatu Latu, edge, UCLA

Will Latu take the NFL by storm?

The 2024 NFL Draft is considered to be deep and talented at the four cornerstone positions as well as the quarterback position.

This draft not only has good edge defenders throughout them middle rounds, it features a trio of pass rushers at the top who could have an immediate impact. UCLA’s Laiatu Latu is widely considered to be chief among them and could well be the first defender off the board in the draft.

His combination of athleticism, length, play strength, and pro-ready technique seem likely to make him an immediate threat on the field.

The New York Giants might not be the team that takes Latu, but they might wind up seeing plenty of him over the coming years.

Prospect: Laiatu Latu (15)
Games Watched: vs. Utah (2023), vs. Oregon State (2023), vs. Arizona (2023), vs. USC (2023)
Red Flags: Neck (2020)

Measurables

Kent Lee Platte (@mathbomb) | RAS.football

Strengths

• Technique
• Hand usage
• Football IQ
• Athleticism

Laiatu Latu is a well rounded edge defender with great technique.

Latu has a very good blend of size and athleticism for the position which should make him a threat against most blockers at the NFL level. Likewise, he should be able to play in almost any defense commonly called in the pros.

But Latu’s technique and hand usage is what sets him apart from other edge prospects and will allow him to have an immediate impact in the NFL. Latu always seems to rush with a plan, using a wide array of moves to defeat blockers’ hands and keep himself clean. He’s able to win with speed moves as well as power, and his rushes seem very difficult for blockers to predict. He also shows an ability to use his technique to help keep his balance while getting under blockers’ pads around the edge.

Latu is a fast processor with a high football IQ. He diagnoses run and pass quickly and is seldom fooled by misdirection, and if he is fooled, it isn’t for long. Latu plays with a wide-open motor, arriving at the quarterback with bad intentions and is quick to get after the ball carrier in pursuit.

The combination of size, athleticism, technique, football IQ, and a relentless motor has allowed Latu to be very productive at UCLA, and should allow him to be a disruptive defender in the NFL.

Weaknesses

• Explosiveness
• Bend
• Length

Latu is a brilliant technician, but he doesn’t quite have the top-shelf athleticism we’ve seen from some edge defenders in recent years. He’s best described as a “good but not great” athlete, which shows up on occasion in his tape.

Latu lacks the ability to win with blistering speed off the edge, and doesn’t consistently force blockers to over-set to account for his speed rush. Likewise, he doesn’t have overwhelming power against which blockers need to make a particular effort to anchor or get help with a double team. Latu is also fluid, but doesn’t have extreme flexibility in his lower body. He can lose traction when trying to bend a tight edge and can’t quite carry his speed when trying to get as low as possible.

While Latu’s neck injury isn’t believed to be an issue right now, teams will want to do their due diligence and make sure they’re comfortable with his health.

Game Tape

(Laiatu is UCLA EDGE number 15, wearing white sleeves)

Projection

Laiatu Latu projects as a starting edge defender with scheme diversity at the NFL level.

Latu has near prototypical size with very good athleticism and pro-ready technique. He can rush from a 2 or 3-point stance, off the edge or through an interior gap, and is also able to drop into coverage on occasion. He has excellent hand usage and does a good job of compensating for average length, as well as preserving his speed into the backfield.

Latu may not be a dynamic rusher at the NFL level and won’t scare blockers with his raw athleticism. However, he’s much more of a “complete package” than we often see coming out of the college ranks. So while Latu may not have a sky-high ceiling, he combines a good ceiling with a very high floor.

Does he fit the Giants?
Yes, though pick and value might not align

Final Word: A strong first round value