Indianapolis Colts’ rookie defensive end Laiatu Latu is coming on strong as a pass rusher in recent weeks.
According to PFF’s metrics, in the last two games, Latu has totaled eight pressures, two sacks, and forced a fumble.
Relative to the rest of his position group league-wide, Latu ranks third in PFF’s pass rush grade during that span. He’s also fifth in pass rush win rate and tied for seventh in sacks.
“We’ve seen it in practice and in the games that it’s slowly coming and like I mentioned before the conversations with him is just keep going,” said Gus Bradley on Tuesday. “The opportunities will come and he made a big play for us. He’s made some other chase tackles, I think he ran down a screen, he set the edge, the week before the flare screen.”
Through the early portion of the season, the stat line in terms of pressures and sacks didn’t always accurately reflect Latu’s impact on the game or the progress he was making.
However, where he’s routinely ranked well from Week 1 to where we are today is in pass rush win rate. Entering Week 13, out of 122 eligible edge defenders, Latu ranks 26th in that category, which goes to show, when there is consistency, eventually the production will follow.
Latu’s run defense has also picked up as well. Over the last three games, he ranks 18th at his position group in run-stops. That well-rounded skill set has resulted in more playing time as well.
“He’s really evolved to where not only is he a rusher, he can rush the passer, but he’s got really good football instincts,” added Bradley. “His chase and run ability, the effort that he shows on tape, all those things are putting him in a position to make some big plays for us.”
Up next for Latu and the Colts as he looks to continue building momentum is a matchup with New England. The Patriots will enter this game allowing the fourth-highest quarterback pressure rate this season.