Laiatu Latu, the Indianapolis Colts’ first-round pick, has a lot to say about his forthcoming rookie season in 2024.
Laiatu Latu, the Indianapolis Colts’ rookie defensive end, is a promising potential. After being selected 15th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft (1st overall defensive player), Indianapolis has great expectations for what Latu will deliver as perhaps the best defensive end drafted by the organization since Dwight Freeney (2002-11th overall).
Cam Jordan, an edge rusher for the New Orleans Saints, interviewed Latu for his podcast Off the Edge. Jordan asked three topics that jumped out in this interview, the first of which was on Latu’s adjustment to life in the NFL as a rookie.
“Getting used to the facility. Being comfortable in there, knowing where to go, stuff like that. That’s really the biggest adjustment. Other than that, on the field is great. I just get to learn more about pass rush.”
“Learning the plays, that’s not crazy hard. Especially when you got guys like D-Buck (DeForest Buckner) and Kwity (Kwity Paye).”
Latu will join a Colts defensive front that established the Indianapolis-era single-season sack record of 51. That front is led by defensive tackles DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart, as well as defensive ends Samson Ebukam and Kwity Paye. Latu’s transition as a rookie will be lot simpler with so much skill on the field.
The second question was about who in the NFL Latu models his game after. He responded swiftly to Maxx Crosby (Las Vegas Raiders) and T.J. Watt (Pittsburgh Steelers). However, Jordan notes that he observed a draft comparison to powerful edge rusher Trey Hendrickson (Cincinnati Bengals) before Latu was selected 15th overall.
“Really like, Maxx Crosby, T.J. Watt type. Creating havoc getting off that rock, playing with that relentless effort.”
Crosby recorded an impressive 14.5 sacks in 2023, while Watt was likely the NFL Defensive Player of the Year with 19.0 sacks (leading the league) and 19 tackles for loss. Latu was a force at UCLA, recording 23.5 sacks and 34 tackles for loss over two seasons (2022-2023). If he can match the performance and trajectory of prior names, Indianapolis will be overjoyed.
Latu later stated:
“When he (Crosby) works one move to another, that’s how I’m trying to be. I’m trying to be non-stop working the moves, non-stop getting to the QB.”
Latu was a pressure machine at UCLA in 2023, recording an impressive 62 QB pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. Latu also commands respect against the run, with an 82.1 run defense score indicating a rock against the ground.
Finally, Latu was questioned about his plans for 2024. His response was fairly simple: NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
“I really only have one, it’s rookie defensive player of the year. And, I have it set up structurally what I want to do, but I take it as every moment I can.”
Latu is likely the most complete edge rusher in the 2024 draft class. With a skill set reminiscent of a shrewd, high-level NFL veteran, he’ll enter his debut season with a slew of maneuvers at his disposal. Even if he is beaten on one rep, he will respond with a rotation of weapons to eventually defeat the blocker.
Nice battle between Laiatu Latu and Kingsley Suimataia at the #seniorbowl. Kinglsey won the first rep, so Latu responded with a counter inside for a quick win. pic.twitter.com/gLFQHvoyjN
— ImBearingDown (@ImBearingDown) January 30, 2024
Latu is in an excellent position to begin his NFL career with a bang. Charlie Partridge also breathes new life into Gus Bradley’s defensive plan. If Latu can dominate training camp and demonstrate why Indianapolis selected him as the first overall defender in the 2024 NFL Draft, he may just win the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award.
