Three best team fits for UCLA edge-rusher Laiatu Latu

Although Alabama's Dallas Turner is touted as the top edge-rusher in the 2024 NFL Draft, UCLA's Laiatu Latu is a more pro-ready prospect who could be one of the biggest steals in the first round.

The 6-foot-5, 259-pounder began his collegiate career at Washington but suffered a neck injury before his sophomore season that forced him to retire medically and later undergo surgery. After missing the 2020 and 2021 seasons, Latu was eventually cleared and transferred to UCLA, where he emerged as one of the most dominant defenders in the nation. Across his two seasons with the Bruins, Latu racked up 23.5 sacks and 34 tackles for loss while posting a 23% pass rush win rate.

Despite his incredible production and deep bag of pass-rush moves, Latu's neck injury could still force him to fall in the draft. However, if a team drafting in the top 15 is comfortable with Latu's medicals, it wouldn't be surprising if they selected him. With that in mind, here are three teams that could be a fit for Latu. 

Atlanta Falcons

The highest selection that Latu has a chance of being drafted with is most likely Atlanta's No. 8 overall pick. In all likelihood, the first seven picks in this year's draft will all be offensive players, which would leave the Falcons in a position to select who they feel is the best defender in the class. While Atlanta has made strides to upgrade its defense in recent years, it is still a few pieces away from performing at an elite level.

It'd be difficult to pass on Turner's raw talent, but as Underdog Fantasy's Hayden Winks points out, new Falcons DC Jimmy Lake coached Latu at Washington, so perhaps the connection gives the former Bruin an edge. 

After signing 35-year-old quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180M deal earlier this offseason, Atlanta's playoffs or bust in 2024. Even though Turner can potentially develop into the top defensive player in the draft, Latu is the more polished player right now, making him arguably the better fit for the Falcons.

Arizona Cardinals 

The Cardinals, who own the fourth and 27th overall picks, are the biggest wild card in the draft. GM Monti Ossenfort will likely have the choice of selecting Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth overall pick or trading that selection to a quarterback-needy team for a massive haul.

Should Ossenfort decide to make a splash during the draft for the second consecutive year and trade down to the middle of the first round, Latu should be on the short list of targets. Last season, the Cardinals' defense showed flashes of stinginess but notched a mere 33 sacks, the third-fewest among teams. Additionally, Arizona's 2023 sack leader, Dennis Gardeck, played just 46.03% of the team's defensive snaps, so bringing in a three-down edge-rusher like Latu would be beneficial in helping the unit reach the next level.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints have already shown that they're fine with adding pass rushers who have neck issues this offseason, as evidenced by their signing of former No. 2 pick Chase Young. Nonetheless, Young's recent ailment, which required him to undergo surgery, is just the latest in a long list of injuries he has endured throughout his career.

Since Young hasn't been all that effective when he's on the field, New Orleans shouldn't emphasize including him in its long-term plans. Instead, the Saints should strongly consider further bolstering their defensive line and view any production out of Young as a bonus.

New Orleans' defense ranked eighth in points allowed and 13th in yards allowed last season, though it only collected 34 sacks. Even so, its D-line has some promising building blocks for the future in 2023 first-rounder Bryan Bresee and underrated defensive end Carl Granderson. Adding Latu to the mix could transform the Saints' defense into a top-10 unit in the NFL, making all the difference in the team returning to the playoffs.