Mel Kiper Jr. explains why Laiatu Latu just missed out on being a top ten player in 2024 NFL Draft

Mel Kiper Jr. has released his top 10 prospects list for the 2024 NFL Draft and among the biggest omissions — UCLA defensive end Laiatu Latu.

Latu, one of the best at his position in this year’s class alongside Alabama’s Dallas Turner and Florida State’s Jared Verse, is outside Kiper’s top 10 due to his medical history, the ESPN NFL Draft analyst explained.

“We talk about Laiatu Latu, Field, as a guy you like, we all like his natural pass rush ability,” Kiper said. “He’s slippery off the edge. What do you do coming back from the neck injury? He had medically retired then he goes to UCLA and he’s putting together these great games. Had a stretch of five games at midseason with seven sacks. He was unblockable in those games. Now, how’s the medical go?… While Laiatu Latu is a guy with maybe a top 10 grade, that’s what he deserves, does the medical push him down just a bit?”

Latu showed promise as a freshman at Washington before suffering a serious neck injury ahead of his sophomore season which forced him to medically retire from football. He entered the NCAA transfer portal after the 2021 season in search of a program to continue his football career with. That program ended up being UCLA, and for the last two seasons of his collegiate career, Latu shined.

Mel Kiper Jr. predicts where Laiatu Latu lands in 2024 NFL Draft

In 2022, he compiled 36 tackles (23 solo), 12.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. He outdid himself this past season, tallying 49 tackles (28 solo), 21.5 tackles for loss, 13.0 sacks and two forced fumbles. Latu’s total of 23.5 sacks over the last two seasons is the most by a UCLA player since Anthony Barr (2012-13). He was named the 2023 Pat Tillman Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year.

Latu also took home the 2023 Lombardi Award, which goes annually to the college football offensive lineman/tight end or defensive lineman/linebacker who exemplifies the character and discipline of Vince Lombardi in addition to outstanding performance and ability.

As for where Latu lands in April’s NFL Draft, Kiper has him going to the Denver Broncos as the 12th overall pick.

“I love Latu’s ability to bend the edge and get after quarterbacks,” Kiper wrote. “He’s a toolsy pass-rusher who has a variety of moves and always has a plan of attack. He ranked second in the FBS in total pressures (57) and pressure rate (20.4%) this past season, and he ranked first in the same categories in 2022 (55 pressures, 19.1% pressure rate). And did I mention he had 23.5 sacks in that time frame? Those are two seasons of phenomenal production.

“For Denver, adding Latu would be a boost to a pass rush that was just OK last season. The Broncos tied for 21st with 42 sacks, but overall, they ranked 30th in yards per play allowed (5.8) and 32nd in yards per carry allowed (5.0). Latu has the potential to become a 10-sacks-per-season defender.”