ESPN NFL draft analyst Jordan Reid compared UCLA defensive end Laiatu Latu to Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby, suggesting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could make worse decisions if they add an edge rusher in the first round.
According to mock drafts from PFF, The Athletic, and ESPN, the Buccaneers will choose Latu with the 26th overall choice.
Reid stated, “Latu is the best pure pass-rusher in this draft class when it comes to pass-rush repertoire.” The former UCLA defensive end, who stands 6-5 and weighs 259 pounds, is comparable to Crosby in terms of size and style of play. They both play with an unstoppable energy and a variety of maneuvers that allow them to bend and corner to get to the quarterback.
The only institution that gave Crosby a scholarship was the Raiders, who selected him with a fourth-round choice in the 2024NFL draft out of Eastern Michigan. The Colleyville, Texas, native immediately made a name for himself as a rookie, with 47 tackles, 10.0 sacks, and four forced fumbles.
In addition to leading the NFL in quarterback hurries and quarterback pressures in 2021, Crosby had 15 sacks over the course of the next two seasons, was selected to the first of two NFL All-Pro Teams, and made the first of three consecutive Pro Bowls. With a four-year, $98.8 million contract extension that included $53 million in guaranteed money, Crosby cashed out handsomely in APril2024.
Aside from being almost identical in size, Crosby and Latu’s collegiate careers were comparable in terms of awards and statistics. Before joining the NFL, they had only played three complete seasons combined, and their 40-yard sprint times (4.64) and (4.66) were uncannily close.
Crosby was selected twice for the All-MAC team, and Latu was chosen twice for the Pac-12 team. Latu ended with 23.5 sacks, while Crosby finished with 20.0 sacks.
According to ESPN’s positional rankings, Latu is rated among the top three edge rushers in the 2024 NFL draft by Reid, Mel Kiper Jr., and Matt Miller.
Latu is comparable to five-time NFL All-Pro and 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt, according to NFL draft expert Lance Zierlein, who also said that Latu “possesses the kind of rare maturity to his game that you usually see from NFL veterans.” As a run defender, he almost never stays blocked by tackles and is the best at blocking tight ends at the collegiate level. He has an intuitive and well-thought-out pass-rush strategy, and he excels at seizing control of the rep by employing deft hands and sly angles to seize openings. He lives off of a ferocious appetite, and his eyes play beyond obstacles.
