3 Players the Eagles Should Draft if Haason Reddick is Traded
By Jovan Alford
2. Laiatu Latu, UCLA
Latu is another exciting pass-rushing prospect in this year’s draft class who could be available when the Eagles pick at No. 22.
The 6-foot-5 EDGE had an impressive final two years at UCLA, culminating in a Reese’s Senior Bowl invite this season. Latu wreaked havoc in the Pac-12 this season and was always in the opposing team's backfield.
UCLA Edge Rusher Laiatu Latu is a PROBLEM and is going to continue to be as he develops in the NFL.
— Crunch Time with Jeff Iafrate & Booner (@officialctpod) February 8, 2024
In 2023: 49 Tackles - 13 Sacks - 2 FF - 2 INT. https://t.co/nNg0IYTKrA pic.twitter.com/F9ySUKNiAD
Latu produced career-highs across the board with 49 total tackles, 21 tackles for loss (most in the country), 13 sacks, and two interceptions. That’s insane production for the Pac-12 Player of the Year.
The 6-foot-5 Latu isn’t your traditional pass rusher, as he doesn’t put his hands in the dirt. But he still wins at the point of attack by standing up on the line of scrimmage and getting the jump on the offensive lineman.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compares Latu’s game to Pittsburgh Steelers star outside linebacker T.J. Watt, which is a hell of a comparison. If the Eagles were to get a player similar to Watt, they would take that in a heartbeat. Just imagine the type of damage Latu could do off the edge in a Vic Fangio defense.