Perspective: Why UCLA Bruins’ Laiatu Latu Will Be the Ultimate Patrick Mahomes Stopper? 2024 NFL Draft Brings Defensive Hope in AFC West

Laiatu Latu hasn’t stepped into the league yet but somehow is drawing comparisons to stalwarts like Joey Bosa and Travon Walker. The UCLA Bruins defensive lineman has already etched himself into the brains of top scouts, managers, and coaches alike. A player from the NFL community believes that Latu is the answer to counter Mahomes’ magic. As the NFL Draft 2024 nears, this athlete has become a real center of attraction.

The edge rusher has a hold over top NFL QB prospects like Caleb Williams. Latu sacked Williams 3.5 times in a single game, amassing 11 tackles, and obviously throwing the USC Trojans overboard. Pro Football Focus did an in-depth analysis of Latu where they found out that he’s faster than 82% of the edge rushers that exist in the college domain. Yet, some look at the numbers game differently and might think that better things can happen if they just wait. Are they wrong? Most likely.

Here’s evidence why Laiatu Latu can’t be overlooked

Speaking of Latu’s calibre, Justin Pugh, the O-Lineman of the NY Giants replied to PFF’s analysis on X and wrote, “If you’re in the AFC West and you’re trying to beat Patrick Mahomes you need to draft this guy. Turner/Verse are more physical, but Latu gets to the QB better than anyone in this draft. He is a closer and will go get you a sack to win the game.”

One would agree that the scouts and stakeholders often skip the complete picture. They look at what has been, and what will be, but never pay attention to the present. An example of this is when the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Travon Walker instead of Aidan Hutchison. Hutchison has now become a cornerstone of the Lions’ defense. The Jaguars spent their No. 1 pick on Walker, who proved to be more athletically gifted with his 4.51 second 40 times as opposed to Hutchison’s 4.74.

Now here’s a similar situation. Latu (4.64 seconds, 82 percentile) was compared to Alabama’s Dallas Turner (4.46 seconds). But the picture becomes clear when one looks at his 2022 PFF game athleticism score, which was in the 97 percentile, which improved to the 99 percentile in 2023.

A video of his trial broke the internet and is sitting at nearly 2 million views. The video shows him taking the obstacle course. He has superior strength, agility, speed, and flexibility than a lot of other edge rushers in the college niche today. He’s become one of the most elite pass rushers to come from Power Five Conference over the past decade. A 27% pass rush win rate stands as a solid proof.

In a recent interview, Latu was asked, “Who’s the quarterback that you’re most looking forward to putting on his butt?” He didn’t hesitate in saying, “I think Pat Mahomes, especially with all the Super Bowls that he’s won so far, I feel like getting him down would be almost a dream come true.” He already has the aspirations of an NFL star, and he also plays like he’s already in the big leagues.

The UCLA edge rusher who strikes fear in the QBs

A couple of films show how Latu leverages his strength, speed, and awareness to get to the QB and take him down. It’s the same pattern every time. He finds a way around the O-Line and pounces at the QB, and most of the time, the quarterbacks are not even aware that Latu is coming for them.

One can look at the film and can tell that he’s ready to pounce on the QB. He just gets to the signal caller too quickly, before the O-Line can do anything about it. In 2023, he recorded 63 pressures, 36 hurries, 11 QB hits, 13 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 interceptions. Those numbers tell that he can do a lot more than his job description.

The Pac 12 DPOY might just be able to get to Mahomes. Data suggests that the KC Chiefs QB’s performance has declined over the years. Mahomes had 27 TDs and 14 interceptions in 2023. A year before that, he had 41 TDs and 12 interceptions. Latu, being young, tough, and quick, certainly comes with more advantages to cut corners over more aged players. It’s just natural.

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With pass-rushing grades of 91.0 and 94.3 in the last 2 seasons, Latu is being embraced as dynamic, fierce, and relentless. His dreams of keeping Mahomes in check might just come true in the future. What’s your take on this?

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