From now until the 2023 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way down to Day 3 selections, and priority undrafted free agents. Today, I’ll be a scouting report on UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu.
#16 Laiatu Latu/Edge UCLA – 6046, 260 lbs. (Senior)
Senior Bowl/NFL Combine
— Pro-ready build with strong arms
— Versatile alignments, lined up as a 5-tech, 7-tech, and wide nine
— Precise hand placement, strikes his hands high on pads to dictate the play
— Refined swim move and uses it to win both inside and outside
— Rushes with a plan, combines hand moves to manipulate offensive linemen
— Fakes an inside rush to set up an outside win, successful enough both ways to keep linemen guessing
— Decent bend around the edge and contorts his upper body
— Impressive motor and wins with second effort
— Sheds block in run defense, fights through blocks
— Complete arsenal of moves, has a pass rush bag of an experienced pro
— Holds the line in run defense
— Experienced pass rusher with leadership skills
— Older prospect, fifth year in college
— Lacks elite twitch or speed around the edge
— Ends up on the ground often, can be pushed down by linemen
— Shorter arms for an edge rusher, came in under thirty-three inches at the Senior Bowl
— His get-off isn’t elite
— Lower body strength needs some improvement as a run defender
— He can overcommit to outside runs and take aggressive angles
— Injury background will have to be cleared
— 1,250 career snaps in college
— Originally a Criminal Justice major, but ended up studying Sociology at UCLA
— 37 career starts in college
— 26 tackles, 15.