The UCLA Bruins saw another player selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, this time EDGE Laiatu Latu. This was always the expectation in a variety of mock drafts leading up to the first night of the draft.
The Indianapolis Colts selected him at No. 15 overall, making him the first defensive player to hear his name called on Thursday night in Detroit.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz of USA Today gave grades for each pick in the first round. He gave the Colts a B for their choice of Latu, and here’s why:
The first defensive player of the board makes for a very appropriate Chris Ballard pick. Latu is by far the most polished pass rusher in this class, so there’s a good chance he makes waves out of the gate. While adding an edge rusher might not have seemed as pressing as bringing on a cornerback – and the top two options in Terrion Arnold and Quinyon Mitchell were both available here – recall that the Colts pushed for Danielle Hunter this spring before the former Minnesota Vikings standout signed with the Houston Texans. So long as Latu’s injury problems don’t flare up again, he should be a reliable presence on the edge who generates consistent pressure.
If it weren’t for Latu’s previous health history, there is a good chance he would’ve been a top-10 pick. Nonetheless, this is a great landing spot for Latu and a solid pick for the Colts.