While he didn’t rank among the top ten players at his position, Indianapolis Colts ascending 3rd-year edge Laiatu Latu did receive some votes for being under such lofty consideration, via ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, in his annually conducted league survey among NFL executives, coaches, and scouts:
Also receiving votes: Travon Walker, Jaelan Phillips, Montez Sweat, Laiatu Latu, Nick Herbig, Alex Highsmith
It’s worth noting that new Cleveland Brown Jared Verse, who was originally taken four spots at #19 after
the Colts selected Latu with the 15th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft actually received an “Honorable Mention.”
Following the losses of both Kwity Paye and Samson Ebukam, the Colts will be counting on a big way for Latu to be their lead pass rusher off the edge again. This past season, Latu finished with 45 tackles (27 solo), 8.5 sacks, 61 QB pressures (*via PFF), 5 passes defensed, a forced fumble, and a surprising 3 interceptions during 16 starts.
Per PFF, for the 2025 campaign, he received a +84.1 overall grade, which was the 10th highest grade among all edge players, and included a +77.0 pass rushing grade.
With another offseason in veteran Lou Anarumo’s defensive scheme, Latu should be more comfortable and could even find himself having another consecutive breakout season—as Anarumo believes he could reach double-digit sacks in 2026, only offering high praise for the developing young pass rusher:
“He’s not built like a typical defensive end,” Anarumo said earlier this offseason via ProFootballTalk. “Great lower body, strong, but when you see him up top, his upper body wasn’t as developed. He’s done a great job of getting stronger over his career so far. He’s a jack of all trades. He likes different things off the field. He is going to be unbelievable as he continues his process as a football player. He was on his way to 10 plus sacks last year, I think he’ll get there this year without a doubt. He’s always dialed in as a worker, as a teammate. Everything about him says team.”
It’s not out of the question that Latu could eventually find himself among the the Top 10 among his pass rushing edge peers sooner rather than later, especially if he only continues to develop and improve his overall skill-set.
