Grading the Colts 1st round selection of Laiatu Latu

GM Chris Ballard let it be known after day one that the team did try to move up, and he even alluded to it being for an offensive player. They couldn't talk anyone into coming down to 15, and when they got on the clock, the offensive players they coveted were now off the board. So they had to pivot to the defensive side of the ball. Luckily for them, the first 14 picks were all offensive players though, so they were able to select their top defender in the class. We hear GMS say, "He was the top player for us at his position," all the time, but there's no disputing who the Colts top edge rusher and defender was after their selection of Latu. 

Latu now enters a Colts edge room full of talent with Kwity Paye, Samson Ebukam, and Dayo Odeyingbo all expected to play a major role in the Colts defense next season. Which makes it interesting to figure out how all these pieces will play out on the field next year in terms of snap counts. In my opinion, the top edge rusher in this class was Dallas Turner out of Alabama, who ended up going to the Minnesota Vikings two picks later. But the immediate production element of Latu's game is undeniable and this pick tells me that the Colts preferred immediate production out of the pick here as opposed to a player like Turner who is more raw. 

Latu will turn 24 in December of this year, meaning at the end of his rookie contract, he will be 28 years old, 29 if his fifth-year option is picked up. Him being older for a prospect adds extra pressure for him to adjust to the NFL level quicker, but everything about his game points toward him avoiding multiple bumps that typically hinder rookie pass rushers. The goal of this pick is that Latu can reach his ceiling quicker than as a result of this, and if people are worried about how high his ceiling is, here are three players Latu has often been compared to this draft cycle: T.J. Watt, Maxx Crosby, and Trey Hendrickson.

While I was shocked by the pick, I think the reasons behind the selection honestly add up. And when you look at the best players available heading into day two, there is significantly more talent at the two positions many were hoping the Colts would target, WR and CB, compared to the edge rushers in this class. And whether you agree with it or not the Colts obviously wanted to add an edge rusher this offseason, with it being known they made an aggressive offer to free agent Danielle Hunter and now them using their top pick on and edge rusher. 

Overall, if the Colts are comfortable enough with Latu's medicals to use such a premium pick on him here, that already eases 99% of any concern I had with them making this selection. If the Colts were going to draft an edge rusher, I believed it needed to be someone they believe can develop into a top-tier pass rusher in the NFL. I think Latu fits that bill to a tee, and I think he has the best shot of any rookie in this class to make an immediate impact. He should be the favorite to lead rookies in sacks, and don't sleep on him being the Colts' sack leader as a rookie, a feat not commonly done. 

Grade: B+