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2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Laiatu Latu

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Steve Letizia | Last updated Jan 15, 2024 8:24 PM ET

Laiatu Latu NFL Draft Profile

College: UCLA
College Position: OLB
NFL Position: 3-4 OLB or 4-3 DE
Height/Weight: 6’5, 265 pounds
Year / Age: RS Senior / 23
Draft Projection: Mid-first round (medical check dependent)
Where I’d Take Him: Mid-first round (medical check dependent)

Background

Latu grew up in Sacramento, California, where he attended Jesuit High School as a 6-foot-5, 237-pound outside linebacker and tight end. He was a four-star defensive end recruit in the 2019 class, ranking around the top 100 by multiple outlets. Latu chose Washington over UCLA and USC but also received scholarship offers from college football powerhouses such as Alabama, Georgia, and Notre Dame.

He saw the field right away as a freshman for the Huskies, playing in 12 games and recording two sacks. Latu was set to take over the starting role but unfortunately suffered a neck injury in spring practices that caused him to miss the 2020 COVID-shortened season. In the spring of 2021, it was announced after meeting with five independent doctors that Latu would need to medically retire from football or else risk potential paralysis. But in December of 2021, Latu announced on social media that he was transferring to UCLA to continue playing football.

It’s unclear how he was medically cleared, but Latu didn't miss a beat despite being sidelined for two full seasons. He erupted for the Bruins in 2022, racking up 65 total pressures and 12 sacks, earning comeback player of the year honors. Latu recorded an 88.4 overall PFF grade and a 91 pass-rush grade. After some deliberation, he decided to stay in school for one more season.

It was always going to be hard to surpass those numbers, but Latu somehow managed to do just that as a senior. He finished the 2023 season with 64 pressures and 15 sacks for a 96.4 overall PFF grade and 94.4 pass-rush grade. Both of those marks were the highest in all of college football regardless of snap counts or position. Most importantly for his draft stock, Latu improved as a run defender, increasing his run stops from 25 to 34 and his PFF run-defense grade from 67 to 81.4. Those strides proved he can be more than just a pass-rush specialist. Latu was named a consensus All-American and was a finalist for the Bednarik Award, given to the nation's top defender.

He skipped UCLA’s bowl game to prepare for the NFL Draft but accepted his invitation to the Reese's Senior Bowl.

UCLA ED Laiatu Latu #NFLDraft

Latu is one of the best pass rushers to come out of college in years. But he also has a huge question mark after getting medically red flagged a few years ago. But his hand use is elite and reminds me of Maxx Crosby coming out#BuildingTheBoard pic.twitter.com/268iTRa4uE
— Chicago Football Connection (@CFCBears) December 14, 2023

Strengths

Elite hand timing and placement
Can rush the passer from multiple alignments across the defensive line
Good enough size to play as a standup OLB or hand-in-the-dirt DE
Bend and ankle flexion are above average
Able to manipulate offensive linemen with varied rush speeds and effective stutters
Cross chop move is his go-to and refined
Enough speed to threaten the arc
Nonstop motor
Balance through contact

Weaknesses

Doesn’t always convert speed to power
Shorter than average arm length
Medicals will have him off many teams' boards completely
Run defense improved in 2023 but only to average
Good but not elite athleticism

Final Thoughts and Chicago Bears Fit for Laiatu Latu

It's difficult to discuss Latu's fit with any team without acknowledging the elephant in the room. If Washington team doctors couldn't clear him, it's possible some NFL teams won't be able to as well. At the very least, teams will be scared to take the risk in the top 10 where his tape says he should be drafted. He may even fall out of the first round entirely.

We won't ever see Latu's medical reports, so we'll leave that up to the 32 NFL teams to decide. Let's just look at Latu the football player. His hand use as a pass rusher is some of the most refined I've ever scouted. Latu's timing is usually perfect to swat offensive tackles' punch away and reach their outside shoulder. And once he does, he has enough juice to bend the edge and flatten his path toward the quarterback. He's a technician with his movements and he would be a first-round prospect on pass rushing alone.

Latu improved in 2023 as a run defender and should be an every-down player in the NFL. He's probably best suited as a 3-4 OLB who can rush from a 2-point stance and be moved around the defense to create mismatches. However, the line between 3-4 and 4-3 becomes muddied more and more each year, and he should have no problem adapting to any scheme.

As for the Chicago Bears, they'll need an edge rusher opposite Montez Sweat with Yannick Ngakoue set to hit free agency. We've seen Ngakoue and Demarcus Walker take their games to the next level after Sweat was acquired — imagine what a player of Latu's caliber could do.

Pro Comp: Maxx Crosby

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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