Pro-ready Laiatu Latu’s game is going as planned for Colts

The Indianapolis Colts have taken the first defensive player in the 2024 NFL Draft, bringing Laiatu Latu from UCLA to the Midwest with the No. 15 pick.

Latu, despite some important medical examinations along the way, deserved to be the first defensive player selected. His tape showed an extremely pro-ready player, capable of using his hands in a variety of ways to win. And the Colts are already seeing that translate early to the NFL thanks to minicamp.

ESPN’s Stephen Holder explains how Latu’s game already translates to the NFL level:

The Colts are optimistic about Latu’s chances of success, as they’ve already seen some of the qualities they saw in Latu at UCLA translate to the NFL… Latu’s range of pass-catching moves has been on display, but the next step is to hone his counterattacks, which will also be necessary against the skilled pass protectors he’ll see in the regular season. Look for Latu to play in obvious pass-catching situations, which sets him up for high sack potential.

– Stephen Holder of ESPN

Latu has some work to do against the run, but as Holder mentioned, the Colts have the rookie in a position where he only really needs to be on the field in obvious passing situations right now. With Samson Ebukam, Kwity Paye, Dayo Odeyingbo and others already locked in along their defensive line, Latu will just have to do his job in his rookie role.

Look for him to make an immediate impact on the stat sheet in 2024.