UCLA Football: Laiatu Latu Lands With Up and Coming NFC Squad in Latest Mock Draft

The elite UCLA edge rusher lands in the desert in this PFF mock draft.

Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu (DL42) works out during the / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

UCLA superstar edge rusher Laiatu Latu will be a professional football player less than a month from now. Latu established himself as one of the best edge rushers in the college game and will look to do the same in the pro ranks.

Latu will likely be a first-round draft pick and walk that stage to shake the hand of Commissioner Roger Goodell. The only question is, 'Where will Latu land?' well, according to PFF's Trevor Sikkema mock draft, Latu will land with the Arizona Cardinals as the 23rd pick in the draft.

"The Cardinals' second first-round pick is a pass rusher — the best one in college football over the past two years, to be exact. Latu isn’t the most athletic edge rusher in this class, but his production would be tough to pass up for Jonathan Gannon's 3-4 defensive front." via PFF.com

The Cardinals don't hold the 23rd pick; the Minnesota Vikings do; however, PFF predicts the Cardinals will trade their number four and a 2025 fifth-round pick in exchange for picks 11, 23, and a 2025 third-round pick.

The Cardinals were not a good team last year, especially regarding their defense and getting to the quarterback. They ranked 25th in sack percentage at 6.12%. Latu was the best in the college game at getting to the quarterback. While it's hard to replicate that type of success right out of the gate, Arizona needs someone to do so.

Latu would provide a spark to the Arizona defense. We'll see if the Cardinals make the trade and how far Latu falls in the first round.