In his first 2024 NFL mock draft (subscription required for link), ESPN’s Mel Kiper has the Denver Broncos improving their pass rush rotation.
Kiper has the Broncos selecting UCLA pass rusher Laiatu Latu at pick No. 12 in April’s draft. The senior edge defender was a defensive lineman in 2023 but he would presumably play as an outside linebacker in Denver’s 3-4 defense. Latu totaled 23.5 sacks over the last two seasons (25 games) with the Bruins.
Latu would come with injury risk. He medically retired from football with a neck injury at Washington in 2021. Latu later recovered and transferred to UCLA ahead of the 2022 season.
“For Denver, adding Latu would be a boost to a pass rush that was just OK last season,” Kiper wrote on ESPN’s website.
Kiper has the top three QBs — Caleb Williams (No. 1), Jayden Daniels (No. 2), Drake Maye (No. 3) — going off the board with the first three picks. After the Broncos land Latu, only one other QB is picked in the first round: J.J. McCarthy (No. 16). Kiper has Michael Penix and Bo Nix sliding beyond pick No. 32.
The 2024 NFL draft will be held in Detroit from April 25-27.
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