UCLA Football: Pundit For Reeling NFL Franchise Unpacks Potential Bruins Draft Fit

It's never too early for NFL Draft talk, and one member of the UCLA Bruins is gaining a ton of steam. That would be edge rusher Laiatu Latu, who has solidified himself as one of the best in the country.

Through seven games for the Bruins this season, Latu has 22 total tackles and 6.5 sacks. He looks to be a top pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, and one expert for the Chicago Bears sees him as a great fit for Chicago.

“Latu has ideal defensive end size at about 6050 – 265 with long arms, and he shows very good play speed. I would estimate he will run in the high 4.6s to low 4.7s at the Combine. Not only does he have speed, but he is very athletic, with excellent body control, quick feet and flexibility. His strength and power are also very good, and he plays a physical, aggressive game.”

Per Greg Gabriel of WindyCityGridiron.com

Latu would instantly help the Bears' defense, giving them a dominant rusher. They could use all the help they can get, and Latu could be the next big-time player for the Bears.

The biggest issue for Latu seems to be whether or not he can pass the physical by the medical staff of NFL teams. They will look at everything regarding a player, including injury history, to make their decision.

Latu suffered a neck injury a few years ago and was advised not to play football moving forward. But he wanted to continue his career, so he worked at things, eventually getting back to his normal self. However, this interview will pick apart every inch of his history, and it could be a red flag for some teams.

If the Bears were to select him, it could be costly with the chance that the neck issue could return. They can't afford a miss with a top draft pick, so hopefully, Latu can be cleared for all teams to have a chance to take him.

“For the Bears, he would become a young aggressive pass rusher who is capable of playing either on the left or right side. Let's hope the Bears' medical staff clears Latu, as he then would be in the mix to be selected with one of their two first-round picks.”

Per Greg Gabriel of WindyCityGridiron.com

Latu remains one of the prospects with the highest ceiling in this class due to his skill set. If he can show that he is indeed healthy, he will make some NFL team that drafts him very happy moving forward.

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