Colts draft DE Laiatu Latu - Round 1, Pick 15

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

Colts select the first defensive player of the draft.


https://twitter.com/FieldYates/status/1783675822206796119

DE Laiatu Latu had easily the best tape of any defensive player in the entire draft class.

He’s as advanced of a pass rusher as you’ll find coming out of college.

As long as his health holds up, that’s an absolute steal for the Colts.

https://twitter.com/HolderStephen/status/1783681744627016039

Laiatu Latu to the Colts at No. 15.

Thoughts:

- Incredibly productive, which matters a lot to the Colts. 23.5 sacks and 34 TFL's in the past 2 seasons.

- Given all the solid options on the board, you have to assume the Colts are ultra confident in the medicals here.

https://twitter.com/CSimmsQB/status/1783676532264714300

#15 Colts

Laiatu Latu is the best on-film edge rusher in the Draft.

Seattle scheme and let him line up wide - could do some real damage.

They are building a real deep d-line in Indy

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

https://nfldraft.theringer.com/


Here was the write-up about Latu in The Ringer. They rated him as the 7th best player in the draft.



SCOUTING REPORT BY DANNY KELLY

Latu plays as if he’s spent the last month training blindfolded in Bloodsport. The UCLA star has a rugged frame and rushes the passer with excellent first-step burst and elite hand-fighting skills. He uncoils out of his stance and slaps, chops, and swats away opponents’ hands with a full array of clubs in his bag as a rusher. He uses swim moves, cross chops, side scissors, hump moves, push-pull moves, a bounding Euro-step move, a bull rush, and an effective spin move, among others—and that well-developed repertoire has helped him displace opponents’ momentum and lead the country in pass-rush win rate (40.7 percent) in true pass set situations last year, per PFF. Latu gets after the passer with ferocious intensity and a nonstop motor, showcasing turbo acceleration and good bend when turning the corner. He’s a flexible athlete who can dip his shoulder, plant his foot, and flatten to the quarterback.

Latu primarily lines up outside but does see some snaps inside rushing against guards, who consistently struggle to deal with his quickness, burst, and handwork. He also has some experience spot dropping in space. Against the run, Latu does a good job establishing leverage and stacking his opponent, using his strong, powerful hands to shed blockers. He’s a supreme hustler and never gives up on a play.

Latu lacks elite length for the edge rusher position and may lack the bulk to consistently play inside. There are times when he gets too high at the snap and is pushed off the ball against the run. His medicals will be the biggest question in his evaluation, though, and teams will have to dig into a neck injury that caused him to temporarily retire from football in 2021.

WHY HE COULD RISE

Latu is a remarkably slippery pass rusher who consistently beats blocks with savvy hand-fighting techniques; he’s one of the most consistently disruptive defenders in the country.

WHY HE COULD FALL

Some teams may give him a medical red flag because of his history with a neck injury.

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

Baldy likes the pick - "He's the best defensive player in this draft....and it is not even close."


https://twitter.com/BaldyNFL/status/1783676637793362058

[nate505]

It feels like he would have gone higher in the draft if it weren't for his medical history, so I like that.

That said I'm still shocked he was the first defensive player in the draft picked. Hopefully the scouts did their work, because I was hoping for Turner, and I hope the Jags don't make the Colts rue that choice.

Still I'm pretty damn happy. His skills look off the chart great, and seeing his emotion and his happiness for being a Colt was just fantastic to watch.

EDIT: Ahh, just noticed it was the Vikings who got Turner. Feel better about that.

[Dam8610]

We got EDGE1, boys! Let's fucking go! Latu is a game wrecker with an almost endless pass rush bag. Can't believe Ballard looked past the arms.

[HoosierinFL]

I was the one who voted for him in the “who do you want” poll!

[nate505]

I was the one who voted for him in the “who do you want” poll!

Honestly, his medicals and his not being what I think Ballard considers ideal means I didn't even consider him.

I'm liking the pick more and more as the minutes go by though.

[Dam8610]

I was the one who voted for him in the “who do you want” poll!

I wanted him, just didn't believe Ballard would look past the arms. Pearsall and Hart tomorrow would make me a VERY happy camper.

[Butter]

SOmeone posted PFFs draft profile on reddit.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Colts/comments/1cd9izl/laiatu_latu_pff_draft_profile/

[apballin]

Seen somewhere this is similar to Montez Sweatt situation and Colts had regrets on passing on him

[Butter]

Seen somewhere this is similar to Montez Sweatt situation and Colts had regrets on passing on him

Makes sense, I had the same thought.

[njcoltfan]

Thanks CB, you got one of the guys I was hoping for, a legitimate pass rusher !

[Butter]

I know we all hate him but Belichick seems to like him.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Colts/comments/1cdb0rg/bill_belichick_breaks_down_de_laiatu_latu/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

[Dam8610]

Seen somewhere this is similar to Montez Sweatt situation and Colts had regrets on passing on him

That was one of the times I was very angry at Ballard. He was gifted Sweat at 26 that year, and chose to trade down for Ya-Sin instead. MPJ makes up for it, though.

[Dam8610]

I know we all hate him but Belichick seems to like him.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Colts/comments/1cdb0rg/bill_belichick_breaks_down_de_laiatu_latu/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

I don't hate him. This pick is fantastic, quite possibly Ballard’s best first round pick other than AR to date.

[Mr. Session]

I have good vibes about this. That kid’s energy is palpable too. You could feel it through the television.

I really wanted an offensive weapon but wow, how often have we been in the position where we get to pick ANY defensive player we want.

This is awesome.

[albany ed]

If, and that's a big


IF

He stays healthy

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/status/1783708941169332457

Ballard calls Latu the best defensive player in the draft, says he's a natural rusher

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/status/1783709896019501253

Ballard acknowledges that the speed rusher off the edge, he saw that as the finishing piece for this defensive front.

Also acknowledges that Latu's different from previous edge rushers he's taken because Latu's already a natural pass rusher, rather than a guy with traits to develop.

https://twitter.com/JoelAErickson/status/1783710139381407952

Ballard says he thinks Latu will produce pretty quickly as a rusher.

"He's pretty polished."

[Racehorse]

If, and that's a big


IF

He stays healthy

I agree. The advise to medically retire, coupled with missing two years makes me wary of any type of injury to the guy. Let's hope he stays healthy for the next 6-10 years.

[Chromeburn]

Everyone should give this a watch.

https://youtu.be/WgkKTYmjWGk?si=SZTHpt7F88U-Evt6

[HoosierinFL]

So we've said before, it would be nice if we lucked into our next Freeney/Mathis type DE.
Well he could be it, its why I picked him in the poll.

Its a risk (health), and maybe there was a bigger need at CB (with the idea that better coverage that forces QBs to hold on to the ball for 1-2 more seconds would let the pass-rush-by-committee thing we had last year work even better).

But still, getting someone who is a legit threat to pressure the QB on every snap can be a game changer.

[Dam8610]

So we've said before, it would be nice if we lucked into our next Freeney/Mathis type DE.
Well he could be it, its why I picked him in the poll.

Its a risk (health), and maybe there was a bigger need at CB (with the idea that better coverage that forces QBs to hold on to the ball for 1-2 more seconds would let the pass-rush-by-committee thing we had last year work even better).

But still, getting someone who is a legit threat to pressure the QB on every snap can be a game changer.

He's not Freeney because he's not a freak athlete, and if you want Mathis in this draft, Mo Kamara should be available in Round 4. That said, Latu has the deepest set of pass rush moves I've ever seen on a prospect, which excites me for his NFL transition, because it shouldn't be as long as the transition for someone like Paye who had no pass rush moves.

[Hoopsdoc]

I’m cautiously optimistic but it’s hard when you see “spinal fusion surgery”.

[Dam8610]

I’m cautiously optimistic but it’s hard when you see “spinal fusion surgery”.

Doctors didn't have any concerns, Ballard asked. They seem to think risk of recurrence is low and he is capable of having a long career.

[ChaosTheory]

Ballard mentioned to McAfee that the neck concerns were alleviated because that had two years of tape on him.

It's always going to be in the back of your mind, but it's not like this just happened. He played two full, productive seasons post-injury.

[rcubed]

I’m cautiously optimistic but it’s hard when you see “spinal fusion surgery”.


Didnt he play and excel for 2 seasons post surgery? Honestly any of these players are a freak hit away from injury

[apballin]

Anyone else hear his college coach said “he was the best TE on our team”

Dudes a freak

[YDFL Commish]

Latu positives:

Latu's surgery was performed by the same Doc who performed Peyton's surgery.

You can't compare him to Leighton Vander Esch because Vander Esch never had the surgery before entering the draft. So he played several season with a bad neck.

NFL.com Lance Zierlein has a Latu player comp is TJ Watt and I think that is an accurate comparison.

Latu is guy with production and skills not traits and hope. Almost every draft analyst, coach and NFL executive believe that Latu is the most skilled pass rusher they have seen in years.

[omahacolt]

this pick is growing on me.


didn't think he would even be on the colts board at all.

[rm1369]

Latu positives:

Latu's surgery was performed by the same Doc who performed Peyton's surgery.

You can't compare him to Leighton Vander Esch because Vander Esch never had the surgery before entering the draft. So he played several season with a bad neck.

NFL.com Lance Zierlein has a Latu player comp is TJ Watt and I think that is an accurate comparison.

Latu is guy with production and skills not traits and hope. Almost every draft analyst, coach and NFL executive believe that Latu is the most skilled pass rusher they have seen in years.

It’s the production instead of just traits that make me happy with the pick. After striking out drafting raw athletes at the position CB took a different tact and got the technician this time. And not a bad athlete by any measure. Without the injury concern he’s likely not there. Worth the risk IMO.

[Butter]

I don't hate him. This pick is fantastic, quite possibly Ballard’s best first round pick other than AR to date.

I meant we hate Bill.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


Latu's phone call conversation with Chris Ballard and Harvey Steichen, upon being notified about the Colts drafting him in the 1st round ......



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXJZZshoiLs

o

[Dam8610]

I meant we hate Bill.

Oh, yes, definitely hate for the cheater, but great breakdown of Latu.

[Chromeburn]

Knows how to use tape

https://x.com/coltsfilmroom/status/1783705535310623197?s=46&t=FvKeTlgkL8ardaxv32vrGQ

[sherck]

o


Latu's phone call conversation with Chris Ballard and Harvey Steichen, upon being notified about the Colts drafting him in the 1st round ......



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXJZZshoiLs

o
Shane Steichen looks like a bad used car salesman in that jacket.

[YDFL Commish]

Knows how to use tape

https://x.com/coltsfilmroom/status/1783705535310623197?s=46&t=FvKeTlgkL8ardaxv32vrGQ

More positives:

Studies tape like a pro

Pro comps of the already mentioned TJ Watt...but also Maxx Crosby and Trey Hendrickson

Ted Hendricks award winner, Lombardi award winner

UCLA Athletic Honor Roll

Also so a pro comp of Matt Judon

[Chromeburn]

More positives:

Studies tape like a pro

Pro comps of the already mentioned TJ Watt...but also Maxx Crosby and Trey Hendrickson

Ted Hendricks award winner, Lombardi award winner

UCLA Athletic Honor Roll

Also so a pro comp of Matt Judon

Also

https://x.com/solvingfootball/status/1736081966179680750?s=46&t=FvKeTlgkL8ardaxv32vrGQ

[YDFL Commish]

More:

https://www.colts.com/news/experts-analysis-laiatu-latu-daniel-jeremiah-dane-brugler-lance-zierlein-first-round-pick

[nate505]

It really seems like his only concerns are health, and I guess some typical weakness concerns most prospects have (like not elite gap closing or whatever).

I get the health concern, but the fact he already had the surgery and has played two years seems to make it less of a concern to me.

Regarding the health concerns, what exactly is it that everyone is concerned about? I get he medically retired, but if that issue is fixed, is it really a concern?

Given that it was fixed, does this mean his neck issues are more likely to come back? That is a legit concern if it's true, I just don't know if there's any evidence to know it's true.

And say it is. We all know that every football player has like a certain percent chance in their career of having a career ending injury. Say it's 5% or something. Is his chance due to this issue more like 10%? 15%? 20%?

If he's as elite as I hear, even a 20% chance is probably worth taking a gamble on. That said, there's a percentage where it wouldn't be wise to gamble on, I just don't know what it is and what his is.

[ChaosTheory]

It really seems like his only concerns are health, and I guess some typical weakness concerns most prospects have (like not elite gap closing or whatever).

I get the health concern, but the fact he already had the surgery and has played two years seems to make it less of a concern to me.

Regarding the health concerns, what exactly is it that everyone is concerned about? I get he medically retired, but if that issue is fixed, is it really a concern?

Given that it was fixed, does this mean his neck issues are more likely to come back? That is a legit concern if it's true, I just don't know if there's any evidence to know it's true.

And say it is. We all know that every football player has like a certain percent chance in their career of having a career ending injury. Say it's 5% or something. Is his chance due to this issue more like 10%? 15%? 20%?

If he's as elite as I hear, even a 20% chance is probably worth taking a gamble on. That said, there's a percentage where it wouldn't be wise to gamble on, I just don't know what it is and what his is.

According to Ballard (and as you would think any NFL team investing millions into an athlete would), they got access to the nitty gritty of his medical history and had lots of discussion.

Ballard is cautious, so you have to imagine the prognosis was a strong positive.

[nate505]

According to Ballard (and as you would think any NFL team investing millions into an athlete would), they got access to the nitty gritty of his medical history and had lots of discussion.

Ballard is cautious, so you have to imagine the prognosis was a strong positive.

Agreed. I'm just a bit irritated at the "he was told to retire and he's one hit away from being out of the league forever" guys to quantify what that means.

Granted they really aren't here though. Most people here seem to love the pick. In all honestly I didn't think he was much of a possibility, so I didn't bother research him much other than the game I saw him dominate my poor Buffs.

The more tape you watch of this guy, the better it is. He's legit dominant.

[IndyNorm]

Doyel actually included some useful information in his column on Latu:

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/columnists/gregg-doyel/2024/04/25/colts-draft-uclas-laiatu-latu-because-gm-chris-ballard-has-a-feeling/73382928007/

Laiatu Latu, Peyton Manning had same doc

Laiatu Latu came out of retirement for the same reason as Peyton Manning a decade earlier: Because Dr. Robert Watkins said he could.

Got your attention? Good. Here’s the rest of that story:

Manning was having neck issues in his final years with the Colts. You remember. He underwent two surgeries, then needed a third in September 2011. His season was over. If this surgery, by far the most invasive of the three, didn’t work? His career was over, too.

Peyton went to Dr. Robert Watkins of the Watkins Spine Center in Marina del Rey, Calif., for neck fusion surgery. Less than five months later Watkins cleared him to play football again. Manning ended up in Denver. Won a Super Bowl. You remember.

Nearly a decade later, Latu was entering his sophomore season at Washington. This was 2020, after he’d played some as a true freshman, a four-star recruit – a member of ESPN’s top 300 – out of Sacramento. He had a promising future until he cracked heads with a teammate in practice. His neck was tingling. Doctors saw the damage in his neck and performed fusion surgery. The tingling lingered. Washington’s medical staff wouldn’t clear Latu, and suggested he retire from the sport. He did, but stayed on scholarship for the 2020 and ’21 seasons. Maybe he’d be a coach.

But then the coach at Washington, Jimmy Lake, was fired. And Latu’s mother, Kerry, started doing some research. She heard about this neck specialist in southern California whose office had worked on more than 150 NFL players, not to mention dozens of NBA, MLB and Olympic athletes. Kerry Latu wasn’t wanting another surgery for her son. She wanted another opinion.

Laiatu Latu went to the Watkins Spine Center, where Watkins performed a handful of tests and studied scans of his neck. And in late 2021, two years into Latu’s medical retirement, Watkins told the young defensive end what he’d told Manning 10 years earlier:

You’re good to go.

Washington wouldn’t clear Latu, so he transferred to UCLA. Two seasons and 23½ sacks later, Laiatu Latu was the most technically proficient pass rusher in the 2024 NFL Draft class. Not the most physically imposing – though he certainly looks the part at 6-5, 265 pounds, and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.64 seconds – but the most technical.

JMO but if a world renowned surgeon cleared him and there hasn't been any issues in the 2 years of playing since then, then there's probably not much if any additional injury risk for him than there is for anyone else in the NFL.

[Racehorse]

Doyel actually included some useful information in his column on Latu:

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/columnists/gregg-doyel/2024/04/25/colts-draft-uclas-laiatu-latu-because-gm-chris-ballard-has-a-feeling/73382928007/



JMO but if a world renowned surgeon cleared him and there hasn't been any issues in the 2 years of playing since then, then there's probably not much if any additional injury risk for him than there is for anyone else in the NFL.
Doyel has to tread softly right now, because half the sports world is livid with him.

[Chromeburn]

Just saw Latu meeting the local press. Very likable personality, he's going to be a fan favorite.

[Dam8610]

Agreed. I'm just a bit irritated at the "he was told to retire and he's one hit away from being out of the league forever" guys to quantify what that means.

Granted they really aren't here though. Most people here seem to love the pick. In all honestly I didn't think he was much of a possibility, so I didn't bother research him much other than the game I saw him dominate my poor Buffs.

The more tape you watch of this guy, the better it is. He's legit dominant.

The tape shows a Myles Garrett level game wrecker to me.

[YDFL Commish]

So I've been watching clip after clip after clip of Latu and I've come to the realization that I would not know where to play him.

A lot of people want to pigeon hole him as strictly a Leo, and that's not the case. Latu can play 3-tech, he can play strong, he can play Leo.

What I think I know though, is if he's used correctly, Defo should have a career year. Latu may not have record breaking sack numbers as a rookie, but I can see him lined up next to Defo, in almost any alignment, where one of the two of them is going to make a play.

This has the makings of a fun season, if Bradley doesn't screw it up!

[Dam8610]

So I've been watching clip after clip after clip of Latu and I've come to the realization that I would not know where to play him.

A lot of people want to pigeon hole him as strictly a Leo, and that's not the case. Latu can play 3-tech, he can play strong, he can play Leo.

What I think I know though, is if he's used correctly, Defo should have a career year. Latu may not have record breaking sack numbers as a rookie, but I can see him lined up next to Defo, in almost any alignment, where one of the two of them is going to make a play.

This has the makings of a fun season, if Bradley doesn't screw it up!

He's not a classic LEO for Bradley's defense. Honestly, Paye is more of that than Latu is. That said, I agree about the positional versatility that Latu has, and he can wreck a guard just as well as he can wreck a tackle. Latu can play LEO, though, which is just a testament to how versatile and disruptive Latu is as a pass rusher.

[njcoltfan]

Doyel has to tread softly right now, because half the sports world is livid with him.
Why is half the sports world livid with him ????

[Racehorse]

Why is half the sports world livid with him ????

His ridiculous attempts at winning over Caitlyn Clark, has stirred up quite a few, and the rest were already holding him in contempt for his yellow journalism coverage of Indiana sports.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


Laiatu Latu’s First Career NFL Sack Confirms What He’s Always Known: ‘They Drafted Me for This Moment'

(By Amanda Foster)

https://www.colts.com/news/laiatu-latu-first-career-nfl-sack-shane-steichen-colts-win-chicago-beas

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(vs. STEELERS, 9/22)


When I stepped away from the game for a few minutes, some posters said that Latu made a really good play in the 4th quarter while the Steelers' offense was racking up momentum in their comeback bid.

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


Laiatu Latu’s First Career NFL Sack Confirms What He’s Always Known: ‘They Drafted Me for This Moment'

(By Amanda Foster)

https://www.colts.com/news/laiatu-latu-first-career-nfl-sack-shane-steichen-colts-win-chicago-beas

o
o


(4 WEEKS LATER)



Colts Believe In Rookie Laiatu Latu Despite Slow Start

(By Stephen Holder)

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/41850286/indianapolis-colts-believe-laiatu-latu

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(DECEMBER 9th)



3 Colts Rookies Who Have Shown Out in 2024

(By Drake Wally)

https://www.si.com/nfl/colts/news/colts-3-rookies-shown-out-laiatu-latu

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(NOVEMBER 14th, 2025)



QB Pressures: lll Laiatu Latu ) (38)

QB Sacks: lllllllllllllll Laiatu Latu ) (5)

INT's: lllllllllllllllllllllll. Laiatu Latu, Mekhi Blackmon, Cam Bynum ) (2)




SOURCE: ) Paul Bretl, Colts Wire




*********************************************



Passing Yards: llllllllllllllllllllll. Daniel Jones ) (2,659)

Rushing Yards: llllllllllllllllllllll. Jonathan Taylor ) (1,139)

Receiving Yards: llllllllllllllll) Tytler Warren ) (617)

Top Graded Blocker: llllllll. Quentin Nelson

Tackles: llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll Nick Cross ) (69)

Pass Breakups: lllllllllllllllllllllll) Kenny Moore, Zaire Franklin, Charvarius Ward, Cam Bynum ) (3)

Special Teams Tackles lll. Drew Ogletree ) (8)

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(NOVEMBER 14th, 2025)



QB Pressures: lll Laiatu Latu ) (38)

QB Sacks: lllllllllllllll Laiatu Latu ) (5)

INT's: lllllllllllllllllllllll. Laiatu Latu, Mekhi Blackmon, Cam Bynum ) (2)

o

o


We are now 65% of the way into the season, and a defensive lineman leads the team outright in INT's (Latu has 3 INT's.)

o

[sherck]

o


We are now 65% of the way into the season, and a defensive lineman leads the team outright in INT's (Latu has 3 INT's.)

o
Man, that was one HECK of a play yesterday by Latu. Just really great football.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(NOVEMBER 14th, 2025)



QB Pressures: lll Laiatu Latu ) (38)

QB Sacks: lllllllllllllll Laiatu Latu ) (5)

INT's: lllllllllllllllllllllll. Laiatu Latu, Mekhi Blackmon, Cam Bynum ) (2)

o




o


We are now 65% of the way into the season, and a defensive lineman leads the team outright in INT's (Latu has 3 INT's.)


o

o



https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ngGMbZ6ydH0/oardefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEYCJUDENAFSFqQAgHyq4qpAwcIARUAAIhC&rs=AOn4CLAtig6BcjeGOb4hRwwNkm2oITwXJQ

o