2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Laiatu Latu (DE – UCLA)

As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Laiatu Latu.

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2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Laiatu Latu (DE – UCLA)

Laiatu Latu (DE – UCLA)

6’4” – 265 lbs.

Background:

High school outside linebacker and tight end who originally attended Washington, where he picked up fifteen tackles and a half-sack as a freshman linebacker, but did not play in either of the two following seasons, being forced to give up football after sustaining a neck injury in fall 2020 which required surgery. Ended up returning this past year, attending UCLA and finishing with an outstanding line of 36-12.5-10.5, adding three forced fumbles on 494 snaps.

Positives:

Big, well-built edge defender who stepped right in after three seasons off and had an outstanding year to put himself on the map playing as a stand-up edge rusher. Gets good extension with his arms to play off of blocks in the run game, showing solid discipline in his run fits. Locates the football relatively quickly. Able to slip under the punches of opposing linemen, with solid flexibility. Excellent length gives him a solid tackling radius. Brings a relatively refined and varied approach to rushing the passer. Has a quick first step to threaten the edge with speed in the passing game, with adequate bend for his size. Knows how to set up blockers as a pass-rusher. Has a nice spin move to threaten inside. Active with his hands. Generally doesn’t play out of a three-point stance, but will occasionally line up with his hand in the dirt, sometimes even as an interior defender, and shows good suddenness to threaten gaps with his swim move. Shows some ability to make limited drops into zone coverage.

Negatives:

Status of his neck could have a large impact on his draft stock, so his Combine medical examination will be crucial. Essentially a one-year wonder who rotated off the field pretty regularly. Pad level is a little bit higher than you’d like. Can get overly aggressive and play out of control at times. Doesn’t have quite the power element anticipated given his size; relies much more on suddenness and activity, and it would be nice to see him convert speed to power and walk back opponents with his bull rush more consistently. Doesn’t bend the tightest arc back to the passer and can be driven deep.

Summary:

Was one of college football’s most prolific pass-rushers last year, combining excellent size, a varied rush approach, impressive suddenness, and quick play-recognition skills which could make him a threat at the pro level as well. Despite his size, would fit best in a scheme which lets him harness his natural aggressiveness to create disruption, rather than playing off of blocks. Looks like a potential second-day pick as long as his neck checks out.

Projection: Round 3-4