Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
Size:
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 259 pounds
Arm Length: 32 5/8"
Hand Size: 9 5/8"
Accomplishments:
Lombardi Award (2023) • Ted Hendricks Award (2023) • First Team All-Pac-12 (2023, 2022)
“Laiatu Latu is an NFL-ready defender and has the 2024 draft’s best pass-rush package.”
Strengths:
Advanced pass-rush skill set
Outstanding motor/effort
Elite production (2022-2023)
NFL-ready game
Concerns:
Neck Injury (missed two straight seasons)
Functional strength
Arm length
Film Analysis:
Laiatu Latu’s 2023 season was outstanding. He has an advanced set of hands to defeat blocks quickly on pass sets. Latu combines an outstanding motor with quick and effective punches to clear his blocker.
Latu is a two-lane rusher that can attack the outside and inside rush paths. He has adequate dip and bend to corner offensive tackles and close onto the quarterback. His pass-rush plan is calculated and intelligent using leverage to create opportunities to counter good pass sets by opponents.
As a run defender, Latu is effective against opposing tight ends. He uses the stack-and-shed method to create and maintain separation before working toward the ball carrier.
Latu has less-than-ideal arm length. Paired with only adequate functional strength, he struggles to deconstruct and detach from blocks. These issues show up on tape against well-paced and technical offensive tackles. Latu does not have an overly explosive first step off the ball to strike fear into tackles. Against the run, I have concerns about Latu’s ability to hold up at the point of attack and anchor to maintain lane integrity.
Latu projects as a technically refined pass rusher who can rush from either two-point or three-point stances. He has a high floor with a good ceiling in the NFL. Latu is a day-one starter for an even front defense. He can become a routine 8-10 sacks per season defender.
Prospect Projection: Day 1 — Pro Bowl Caliber
Written By: Damian Parson
Exposures: USC (2023), Oregon St. (2023), Washington St. (2023), Coastal Carolina (2023), Arizona (2023)
