NFL Draft: Could Atlanta Falcons Trade Down, Select UCLA's Laiatu Latu?

UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu could be an Atlanta Falcons draft target.

The Atlanta Falcons are less than three weeks away from the NFL Draft, and after investing so many early picks and free agency signings on the offense, the defense could soon be getting some love.

With the No. 8 overall pick, the Falcons could be in line to select the first defensive prospect on the board as quarterbacks, offensive tackles and receivers are hot commodities for the first seven picks. If the entire defensive draft class is available at No. 8, it could be wise for the Falcons to trade back and acquire more assets if the right guy for them on the board could be available a few picks later.

The Athletic suggests that the team could trade back and target UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu.

Oct 7, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; Washington State Cougars running back Nakia Watson (25) is

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"The 6-4, 261-pounder led the country in pass rush win percentage last year (24.6)," The Athletic writes. "However, he isn’t an elite athlete, and he’s a medical risk after previously retiring from football because of neck surgery. He’s productive though, totaling 23 1/2 sacks in his final two seasons."

Latu, 23, played two seasons at Washington before transferring to UCLA, where he truly blossomed into a first-round talent. In the last two seasons with the Bruins, Latu has recorded 23.5 sacks, including 13 last season. That would certainly help the Falcons pass rush, which has been close to the bottom of the league in the past few seasons.

Atlanta's top two sack leaders from last year, Bud Dupree and Calais Campbell, have yet to be re-signed, so selecting someone who can get to the quarterback is paramount for the Falcons, and Latu certainly checks off that box.