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Could UCLA's Laiatu Latu Really Fall to the Buccaneers?
Latu is one of the highest-rated edge rushers heading into the draft.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking for a lot of things in the NFL Draft — interior offensive linemen to shore up the line and a cornerback to replace Carlton Davis III, for two. But edge rusher is perhaps among their most important needs, and one has to wonder if one of the draft's best prospects there could fall into their lap at No. 26.
Pro Football Focus released yet another mock draft on Monday, and it has the Bucs selecting UCLA's Laiatu Latu. Latu is regarded by many as the best edge rusher in the draft, and it could be a coup for Tampa Bay to select him without moving up. Here's what writer Max Chadwick wrote of the potential pick:
"Latu has a strong case for EDGE1 in this class but will likely be the third one taken on draft night. His 96.3 grade this past season didn’t just lead all players in the country; it was the highest-graded season from a Power Five player since PFF began charting college football in 2014. Tampa Bay should sprint this card in after releasing Shaquil Barrett this offseason."
PFF's mock indeed has both Alabama's Dallas Turner and Florida State's Jared Verse going before Latu. So if he's so highly regarded, then why could the Bucs potentially still draft him at No. 26 when the first round begins?
The answer lies in just how much NFL teams care about his injury history.
Latu began his career at Washington, but he suffered a neck injury during his sophomore year. He medically retired from football after that season after Washington doctors did not clear him to play, so he transferred to UCLA in 2022-2023. It was there he really shined, netting 10.5 sacks his first year there and 13.0 sacks last year.
If teams don't care as much about Latu's injury history, he'll almost certainly be taken sooner than later in the draft, perhaps within the Top 15. If they do, it's possible the Bucs could get lucky and have Latu fall into their laps — if they themselves don't have concerns with his injury history, of course. Even so, Latu would be a tough prospect to pass by at No. 26.
Questions will become answers on April 25 when the first round of the NFL Draft begins in Detroit.
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