The Indianapolis Colts surprised a lot of people with the selections they made early in the 2024 NFL Draft. With their first-round pick, No. 15 overall, they snapped the streak of offensive players coming off the board with their selection of UCLA edge rusher, Laiatu Latu.
Given that every defensive player was still on the board, some scouts believe that the Colts made the wrong selection. Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner presented better value, but Latu was very productive over the last two seasons with the Bruins in his own right.
Selecting a wide receiver, such as Xavier Worthy, would have been a better route to take in the scout’s opinion as well. But, Indianapolis filled the need at wide receiver when they selected his teammate from Texas, Adonai Mitchell, in the second round.
While some people are questioning the fit Latu in Indianapolis, he is excited to be with the team. He believes that he is an excellent fit for the Colts opposite of Kwity Paye, someone who he has worked with alongside defensive line Coach Ed.
“I thought it might be the right fit b/c Kwity Paye is there, who I got to work alongside with @DlineCoachEd. Seeing their pass rushers’ ability to affect the QB, making openings for the DL. I couldn’t wait seeing myself w/ them,” Patu said during his first press conference as a member of the team.
Long-term, it could be Latu who replaces Paye in the Colts lineup. But, for at least the 2024 season, they will be teammates and looking to create havoc in the opponent’s backfield on a weekly basis.
Latu is joining what was a very strong pass rush last season. The Colts were fifth in the NFL in 2023 with 51 sacks and Latu will make them even more dangerous. In the last two seasons at UCLA, he compiled 34 tackles for loss with 23.5 sacks.
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