PFF tags Colts edge as ‘biggest steals’ from the NFL Draft’s first day

It carries medical risks, but if Laiatu Latu stays healthy, the Colts may have gotten one of the draft’s best deals, given his potential and natural pass rush ability.

According to PFF, new Indianapolis Colts edge Laitu Latu has been branded one of the 2024 NFL Draft’s ‘greatest steals,’ as the famed advanced football grade guru is a big fan of perhaps the best pass rusher in this year’s class.

EDGE LAIATU LATU, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Latu captured five of nine top spots in PFF’s key grading facets among eligible EDGE defenders and earned an elite 94.3 pass-rush grade this past season.

The medical concerns clearly didn’t scare everyone off, as Latu ended up as the first defensive player off the board — but not until the Colts came on the clock at No. 15. Latu’s pass-rushing bag is as deep as any edge prospect we’ve seen in the past few years, and he pairs that with a quick first step and great closing speed. He has the potential to be a double-digit sack guy as early as his rookie season.

When looking at some of Latu’s pass rushing metrics, it’s difficult to be upset about the pick at face value—given the price that pass rushers command in today’s pure passing league:

UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu over the past two seasons:

🔵 95.4 PFF Grade (1st)
🔵 27 Sacks (1st)
🔵 126 Pressures (2nd)
🔵 23% Pass Rush Win Rate (1st)
🔵 94.5 Pass Rush Grade (1st) pic.twitter.com/61X0oX6ypR

— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 1, 2024

Laiatu Latu’s pass rush win rate in college was up there with the Bosa’s 😯 pic.twitter.com/VjqOUbIhvG

— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) April 26, 2024

Landing the “most natural pass rusher in this year’s draft class,” according to NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, must be music to the Colts’ ears—especially sitting at #15 overall, midway through the draft, where it’s normally very difficult to find a high-end impact pass rusher, let alone the top defensive player on a team’s board.

However, where things get muddy is with Latu’s medicals, who was medically recommended to retire two years ago due to spinal issues—but has since had what appears to be successful neck fusion surgery, with two seasons of outrageously productive football:

“I know the medical’s going to be a question, but like our doctors said, he just played two full years with it and had 22.5 sacks,” Colts general manager Chris Ballard said during his post-’Day 1’ draft press conference. “So we think we got the best defensive player in the draft. I thought we got a little lucky on it.”

It remains to be seen if Latu’s surgically repaired spine will restrict or shorten his pro career, but the Colts are undoubtedly counting on having an exceptional pass rusher for the greater part of the next decade—a decent return on any first-round investment.

Is Latu a steal? Or are the Colts lucky to have him? It depends on who you ask, as some may consider him ‘risky’—which is likely why he dropped to #15, but only time will tell. Despite the underlying medical concern, it’s difficult to dismiss his tremendous pass rush skills and exceptional performance.