Seattle Seahawks a 'Favorite Fit' For Standout UCLA Edge in NFL Draft

New Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald is embarking on his first offseason in charge, and ESPN has labeled UCLA's Laiatu Latu as the team's favorite fit for the NFL Draft.

Nov 11, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Melquan Stovall (7) / Alex Gallardo-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Seahawks are entering a new era under defensive wizard Mike Macdonald with the franchise trying to get back to the postseason after missing out in 2023.

With the free agency frenzy now flatlining, attention is turning to the NFL Draft and what exactly Seattle will do with the No. 16 overall pick.

Some have the Seahawks fortifying their offensive line, while others have a quarterback coming to the NFC West. But in a fun exercise by ESPN, for the top 20 prospects, they have been given a "favorite fit," and for the Seahawks who pick at 16, UCLA Bruins standout Laiatu Latu is paired with Macdonald.

Nov 11, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Melquan Stovall (7) / Alex Gallardo-USA TODAY Sports

"Latu, the most skilled and refined pass-rusher in the 2024 class, could be used from multiple alignments under new Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald," ESPN writes. "Here, Macdonald can use loaded fronts to scheme one-on-ones for Latu off the edge. He could play as a stand-up rusher to crate interior matchups or drop late to patrol the underneath zones in pressure concepts. Latu, who had 23.5 sacks over his final two seasons at UCLA, has the traits to produce early in his rookie season. His 20% pressure percentage last season ranked second in the FBS and was the best mark of any Power 5 player."

In Latu, Macdonald's defense gets a monster who can attack the quarterback due to his ability to consistently get into the backfield due to his explosiveness of the line of scrimmage and quickness that gets him in and behind the offensive line in a flash. This was clear by his 21.5 tackles for loss for UCLA last season, with Latu developing into a pass-rushing star.

Due to Latu's draft stock seemingly rising by the day, there is little chance he remains at 16, but if he does happen to slide then the Seahawks present an interesting option for the edge star. Macdonald made his name as a defensive genius and the type of packages he could develop to get Latu into favorable matchups is intriguing.

The Seahawks defense didn't have a defender reach double-digit sacks last season with Boye Mafe the closest with 9.0. Seattle also ranked 12th in sacks (47), and adding Latu could see that number start trending north.

Latu's burst off the line and quickness make him a difficult opponent for offensive lines to try and navigate. Under Macdonald's guidance, there is every chance that Seattle could have one of the best pass rushers in the class working for one of the best defensive minds in football right now.

It seems like a match made in heaven, and if Latu is available at No. 16, then this "favorite fit" could do wonders in his first year as a Seahawk.