UCLA Football: New Mock Draft Has Laiatu Latu Going in Top-10 to Midwest Squad

The Bruins star edge rusher lands in the Midwest in this mock draft.

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

The NFL draft is only 20 days away, and UCLA superstar edge rusher Laiatu Latu could go anywhere from the top ten to late in the first round. His draft status ranges, and that's due to his past injury concerns. Nonetheless, there's no denying his talent and what he can bring to an NFL defense.

More recent mock drafts have Latu going in the late teens to early twenties; however, this mock draft done by The Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer has Latu in the top ten. Iyer has Latu going number nine to the Chicago Bears.

"After adding Allen, Gerald Everett, and D'Andre Swift in free agency, the Bears need to think about pass rush here over offensive skill players for Williams. Matt Eberflus will like this versatile, productive option to pair with Montez Sweat."

Iyer has the Bears pairing a fellow Trojan, quarterback Caleb Williams, with a fellow Bruin in Latu. The 23-year-old is an elite talent who can get to the quarterback and backfield at will. Latu wins 27% of his pass rushes, which is the best rate of any edge rushers since PFF began grading college football in 2014. He earned pass-rushing grades of 91.0 and 94.3 over the past two seasons.

In his senior season as a Bruin, he recorded 21.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles in 12 games. He is a force to be reckoned with, and whether it is the Bears or another NFL squad, Latu will do damage to opposing offenses.

The first round of the NFL draft starts on April 25th.