NFL Draft: Could Atlanta Falcons Trade Down, Select UCLA's Laiatu Latu?

UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu could be an Atlanta Falcons draft target.

Jeremy Brener | Apr 5, 2024

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

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Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons are less than three weeks away from the NFL Draft, and after investing so many early picks and free agency signings on the offense, the defense could soon be getting some love.

With the No. 8 overall pick, the Falcons could be in line to select the first defensive prospect on the board as quarterbacks, offensive tackles and receivers are hot commodities for the first seven picks. If the entire defensive draft class is available at No. 8, it could be wise for the Falcons to trade back and acquire more assets if the right guy for them on the board could be available a few picks later.

The Athletic suggests that the team could trade back and target UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu.

Oct 7, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; Washington State Cougars running back Nakia Watson (25) is / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

"The 6-4, 261-pounder led the country in pass rush win percentage last year (24.6)," The Athletic writes. "However, he isn’t an elite athlete, and he’s a medical risk after previously retiring from football because of neck surgery. He’s productive though, totaling 23 1/2 sacks in his final two seasons."

Latu, 23, played two seasons at Washington before transferring to UCLA, where he truly blossomed into a first-round talent. In the last two seasons with the Bruins, Latu has recorded 23.5 sacks, including 13 last season. That would certainly help the Falcons pass rush, which has been close to the bottom of the league in the past few seasons.

Atlanta's top two sack leaders from last year, Bud Dupree and Calais Campbell, have yet to be re-signed, so selecting someone who can get to the quarterback is paramount for the Falcons, and Latu certainly checks off that box.

Published Apr 5, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.