In the most recent Pro Football Focus mock draft, Trevor Sikkema has the Arizona Cardinals taking former Bruin Laiatu Latu at #23 overall.
In a proposed trade with the Minnesota Vikings to acquire Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the Cardinals take the Vikings’ #11 and #23 overall selections and use the latter on Latu.
Latu to the Cardinals makes a great deal of sense, and here’s what Sikkema wrote:
“The Cardinals’ second first-round pick is a pass rusher — the best one in college football over the past two years, to be exact. Latu isn’t the most athletic edge rusher in this class, but his production would be tough to pass up for Jonathan Gannon’s 3-4 defensive front.”
The Cardinals, who are not in the market for a quarterback, could use Latu on the edge to bolster their pass rush. Pairing Latu with second-year outside linebacker BJ Ojulari, the Cardinals could put together a talented young pass-rushing duo on opposite sides of the defensive line.
Wherever Latu lands, it is a fairly safe bet he will make an immediate impact. One of the best players at his position in the draft and one of PFF’s highest-graded players of 2023, Latu is primed to be a force at the next level.