The Green Bay Packers will be looking to continue to improve its defense and one of the names to watch for is UCLA’s Laiatu Latu during the 2024 NFL Draft. He has elite talent but one of the issues with him is his medicals.
Latu last season with the Bruins as an EDGE rusher had 49 total tackles, 13 sacks, two forced fumbles, two interceptions, and two pass deflections. He is 6’5″ and weighs 265 lbs.
Mel Kiper of ESPN has the Packers taking Latu with the 25th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He talked about this possible selection by saying:
“Latu put up 111 quarterback pressures over the past two seasons, racking up 23.5 sacks. He has elite pass-rushing skills and is already advanced in his technique. The reason he’s not a surefire top-15 pick is because he has some medical questions; he medically retired from football due to a neck injury when he was at Washington in 2021. I love his fit with the Packers, though.”
Laiatu Latu is 23 years old and this would be an interesting selection for this franchise if general manager Brian Gutekunst went this route. There would probably be a lot of backlash from the fanbase if this was the pick.
Green Bay Packers Should Take a Defensive Player With This Selection But Not Laiatu Latu
Green Bay has been taking defensive players in the first round of the NFL Draft quite a bit over the years and it feels like it is in their DNA to do so. They should take it on another player and Laiatu Latu should not be the pick here for them. It feels like the Packers should take either a safety or a cornerback with this selection.
The Green Bay Packers need to sharpen the backend of this defense. Tyler Nubin from Minnesota or Ennis Rakestraw Jr. from Missouri would be better selections with the 25th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft rather than Latu.
The offensive line could also be in play for the Packers with this selection. They do need to protect quarterback Jordan Love’s blindside and also have time for him to complete passes to his wide receivers and tight ends. Lance Zierlein of the NFL Network thinks Latu’s upside is T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers, but his medicals should keep the Packers away from taking this huge risk of a selection.