With the college football season cooling down, the NFL Draft season is just heating up.
For former UCLA defensive end Laiatu Latu, it means lots of buzz.
The standout Bruin is tapped to be one of the first edges taken off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft. In a recent USA TODAY Pre-Combine mock draft, Latu is heading to South Beach with the #21 overall pick.
With a depleted defensive line due to injury, the Miami Dolphins look to add youth and explosiveness to their front four. Latu and his ability to set the edge and rush the passer effectively makes him the perfect “do-it-all” prospect along the defensive line.
As Ryan Roberts of College Sports Wire writes: “Before the season, edge was unlikely to be a need for the Dolphins this offseason. Unfortunately, injuries to Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb have changed that equation. Latu, talent-wise, is a steal in this spot. He adds immediate pass-rushing help.”
Latu’s range of skills helped him log 28 solo tackles, 13 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions in 2024 for UCLA. With that upside, Latu should be a hot commodity for teams looking to add a versatile defender.
If a run on defensive linemen occurs earlier than expected in the draft, Latu could rise in the ranks, potentially cracking the top ten on the draft board.