New Orleans Saints 4-Round Mock Draft: Can Laiatu Latu Change Perception of EDGE Picks?
With only two top-100 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints will have to make their early selections count. With needs on both sides of the trenches, this mock draft is aimed to address the offensive and defensive lines with the first two selections and try to land another big-bodied offensive weapon with the third.
The good news for New Orleans is that the offensive tackle class is deep and therefore there is no need to rush at that position. That opens up an opportunity in the first round to do what the Saints have shown they are apt to: select a prototypical edge rusher instead.
With the failure to make the leap for 2018 first-round selection Marcus Davenport, who was eclipsed by undrafted edge defender Carl Granderson, there will be apprehension to this idea. That doubt will be furthered by the jury still being out on defensive ends Payton Turner (2020 first-rounder) and Isaiah Foskey (2023 second-rounder) due to injuries keeping them off the field. However, there are two first-round edge rushers in the 2024 class that project extremely well to the next level and check the Saints' boxes. One of which slots in as the top pick in this mock.
Round 1, Pick 14 - UCLA EDGE Laiatu Latu
Laiatu Latu celebrates an interceptions against North Carolina Central.
Sep 16, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Laiatu Latu (15) celebrates after intercepting a pass against the North Carolina Central Eagles during the first half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
At 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds, Latu fits the mold of a typical Saints draft selection at the position. His official numbers may stray a little from his listed height and weight at UCLA come the NFL scouting combine, but unlikely to stray too far away from the prototype. But beyond checking the height and weight boxes, Latu is often considered the most polished pass rusher of this year's class.
He projects extremely well to the next level, different from the projects that Davenport, Turner and Foskey were upon their selections. His 24 career sacks and 35.5 tackle for a loss with the Bruins are nice numbers. But perhaps the most exciting aspect of Latu's game comes down to how often he wins against opposing offensive linemen.
Per Pro Football Focus (PFF), Latu has a 25.3% pass rush win rate. That ranks first among edge rushers across the entire country that have taken at least 50 pass rushing snaps. Latu is good. Really good. He goes beyond hitting the Saints' prototypes as well. He is a speedy, bendy, athletic edge rusher who has a plethora of moves and counters that allow him to diversify his pass rush plan, rather than relying on a single-effort bull rush to get home. That is something players like Granderson and linebackers Kaden Elliss and Zack Baun have proven works in this defensive system.
Florida State defensive end Jared Verse would be another excellent selection here. In this simulation he was not available, but he projects just as well to the pros.
Round 2, Pick 45 (via DEN) - Houston OT Patrick Paul
Patrick Paul reacts to a field goal conversion in a 2OT game against Texas Tech.
Sep 10, 2022; Lubbock, Texas, USA; Houston Cougars offensive lineman Patrick Paul (76) reacts in the second half after a field goal against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium and Cody Campbell Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Get your checklists ready. Paul is a 6-foot-7, 315-pound left tackle who was a two-time team captain, lived in Nigeria for two-and-a-half years who (along with Latu) will participate in this year's Senior Bowl. Sold? Of course.
The Saints love their prospects to come in as matured leaders and Paul is absolutely that. Not only is he that, he is also a dominant offensive tackle in the meanwhile. The Houston Cougar is a perfect example of how deep this year's tackle class is. He has started 39 consecutive games at left tackle for the Cougars, allowing just 49 total pressers on over 1,800 pass blocking snaps per PFF. Only four of those 49 pressures turned into sacks.
Paul is a solid pass protecter that will need some further development in the run game. But he is far from a liability in the ground game. That is a really promising place to start with an offensive tackle. The Saints have question marks at both sides of the line with left tackle Trevor Penning being benched early in his second season and not receiving much opportunity to work his way back. Meanwhile, right tackle Ryan Ramczyk's future is uncertain thanks to what has been described as a degenerative knee condition.
Paul provides competition on the left side, which will be a must if the team loses offensive lineman Andrus Peat as expected this offseason. Meanwhile, New Orleans could look for a veteran to help out on the right side while Penning competes and gets looked at in other spots on the line. This pick not only provides improvement on the line, but maximizes possibilities for additional solutions as well.
Round 4, Pick 136 (estimated comp pick) - Penn State TE Theo Johnson
Theo Johnson celebrates a touchdown catch and run against Maryland.
Nov 4, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Theo Johnson (84) reacts after catching a shovel pass for a touchdown during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
By the looks of things, tight end Jimmy Graham's reunion with the Saints may be over after just one year. That means another big-bodied pass-catcher could be in the cards for New Orleans.
At 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds, Johnson is exactly that. He has experience lining up in-line as a true-Y blocker type, but has also lined up in the slot and out wide. Damian Parson and Keith Sanchez of the Locked On NFL Draft podcast debated Johnson as one of the candidates for this year's "TE3". The case is compelling especially if he matches expectations and runs in the 4.5-second range in the 40-yard dash come this year's combine. Oh and yes, Johnson will be another underclassman participating in this year's Senior Bowl alongside Paul and Latu.
With 77 career catches, 938 receiving yards and 12 touchdown receptions during his time with the Nittany Lions, there is a lot to like about the athletic tight end. Especially when he is running pivot routes like a running back out of the backfield. His stats may not be as awe-inspiring as the apple of everyone's eye: Georgia's Brock Bowers, but Penn State's offense has a lot more to do with that than Johnson himself.
