© Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Turner vs. Laiatu Latu: Identifying Broncos' Best Edge Fit
The Denver Broncos need a top pass rusher, and Dallas Turner and Laiatu Latu are the top two options in the draft.
If the Denver Broncos want to make a quick and cheap upgrade to their defense, adding a top pass rusher with the No. 12 overall could do it. The Broncos lack the top game-changer option, but they have multiple quality second options.
While this is a good draft class for edge rushers, it lacks many blue-chip types, but the two we'll talk about today could be that guy in the NFL.
Let's dive into their respective scouting reports to find the answer.
Oct 7, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Max Johnson (14) attempts
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Turner | Alabama
- Height: 6-foot-3
- Weight: 247 pounds
- Arm Length: 34-3/8 inches
- Hands: 9-7/8 inches
- Relative Athletic Score: 9.48
Pros
Turner is a good athlete with great length for the NFL. He is quick with his hands and works well into the frame of blockers, using his length to press blockers away. The length also helps him use his positioning to control blockers when setting the edge against the run.
Turner's burst and explosion are exceptional, as is how quickly he fires off the snap and can close on the ball. He carries that same quickness with his movement and can easily change direction in his attack. The burst and athleticism also help him handle more mobile quarterbacks, as he can quickly chase them down from behind more often than now.
Turner shows a good understanding of leverage and how to work through and around blockers. His football IQ is noticeable with how quickly he reads to play, and he reacts quickly to it. He can shift from pass rusher to run defender or even into coverage quickly and smoothly. When in coverage, he can cover the flats and has good recognition of developing screens.
Cons
There are issues with his anchor when handling the edge, as he can sometimes be late to set it or doesn't have enough power to hold up. Improving the strength to work through blockers or handle the edge will be a priority for NFL coaches.
Turner must add to his pass-rush arsenal, as he tends to be a one-tone pass-rusher. There are some solid counters that he can change into smoothly, but that first move is often the same speed-to-power move. Adding to the arsenal could lead to more creativity as a pass rusher, which can lead to more success.
One of the most significant issues holding back sack production is the lack of developed hand technique. If he can improve his hands, it would go a long way to making what moves he does more effective.
Fit With Broncos
Turner is one of the few pass rushers in this class who have the tools and traits to be great in the NFL. The length and athleticism are clear with Turner and can help him win in the NFL.
However, time will need to be spent to improve the techniques and add to the overall arsenal that Turner has to work with.
Big Board Position: No. 10 overall.
Caleb Williams, Laiatu Latu
Sean M. Haffey/GettyImages
Laiatu Latu | UCLA
- Height: 6-foot-5
- Weight: 259 pounds
- Arm Length: 32-5/8 inches
- Hands: 9-5/8 inches
- Relative Athletic Score: 9.16
Pros
Regarding technical prowess, Latu has the best development and the most to work with in the draft. His hand technique is some of the best I have scouted in my time doing this, and he is consistently clean.
Latu knows how to pair the hand technique with the lower body techniques. The hand technique opens the door with many options for pass-rush moves.
While he isn't the bendiest of edge rushers, Latu can still work around the edge of tackles. His best work comes from working through them with a skilled bull rush.
Latu has surprising quickness to shoot gaps and catch guards still working their set. His stack and shed is also up there in this class with the technique and consistency of it.
Latu shouldn't be used in coverage often, but there is enough ability and athleticism to work in certain coverages. He also shows a good football IQ to read plays and can read screens well. The understanding of the nuances of a pass rusher, like attack angles, is there to make him even more dangerous.
Cons
Even though Latu got a clean medical grade at the Combine, there are still concerns due to the nature of his injuries involving the neck. He also may be maxed out with the frame and is only average in size and length.
Latu will take leverage away from himself with his high pad level. There are issues of him getting too upright with his rush and giving leverage to the blocker.
While Latu can do alright holding up the edge against the run, his anchor isn't the strongest and can lead to him getting driven off the line. There is also a lack of closing burst, and ball carriers can get away from him, though Latu will keep chasing them down.
Fit With Broncos
Like Turner, Latu is another of the few rushers in this class with the tools to be a top guy in the NFL. Latu's ability to be so comes from his technical prowess. There won't need to be much work on the technical side of things, which can make his transition to the NFL even smoother.
Big Board Position: No. 18 overall.
Better Fit for Broncos
The question for these two edge rushers is, which would be preferable? Turner has a bit of a higher ceiling due to his length and athleticism. Meanwhile, Latu is on a higher floor because he won't need as much work to develop for the NFL. Both of them fit well with what the Broncos are looking for and needing, and both would need to be taken early if this is the way the Broncos want to go.
Follow Mile High Huddle on band Facebook.
Subscribe to Mile High Huddle on YouTube for daily Broncos live-stream podcasts!
