Indianapolis, IN — The Indianapolis Colts’ 2024 first-round pick is quietly emerging. Laiatu Latu was his draft class’s first defender selected at 15th overall; therefore, expectations were set by fans and analysts alike — he simply must be the best defender, and no grace period for acclimation is allowed. This, of course, is how casual followers of the sport grasp NFL Draft happenings. It makes brief, logical sense on the surface, but cannot be viewed in a vacuum.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard certainly didn’t make matters better with his post-draft selection reaction. He appeared more confident than arrogant in his choice, but the menacing declaration that Laiatu Latu is/was “the best [expletive] rusher in the draft” only exacerbated the cemented expectations that people give to the first of anything drafted. Fans and analysts were given more ammunition to use against Latu or Ballard narratively, and they certainly didn’t let it go to waste.
Perhaps patience would’ve been awarded had it not been for the impressive rookie campaign from fellow defensive end draftee, Jared Verse, who was taken just four picks after Latu by the Los Angeles Rams. Winning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors while also being named a Pro Bowler, Verse proved to be the more pro-ready player out of the gate. Here are the two pass rushers’ rookie seasons compared:
Verse: 66 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 11 TFLs, and 2 forced fumbles; 16.8% pressure rate
Latu: 32 tackles, 4.0 sacks, 5 TFLs, and 3 forced fumbles; 12.0% pressure rate
Although the gap isn’t as big as some have suggested, Jared Verse undeniably had more of an impact than Laiatu Latu did as rookies. The good news for Latu is that careers aren’t determined from a single season in the league.
Going into the season, the area that Latu needed to grow most was that of finishing sacks. He had regularly showcased his ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks as a rookie, but too many times would he just miss the finish. Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo was not concerned by this, and so far in 2025, Latu has proven him right while also showing why patience is key.
Verse: 35 tackles, 4.0 sacks, 7 TFLs, and 3 forced fumbles; 12.8% pressure rate
Latu: 26 tackles, 5.0 sacks, 6 TFLs, and 2 interceptions; 16.0% pressure rate
This is not at all meant to be a promotion for a Laiatu Latu vs. Jared Verse heavyweight title match, but comparing the two is important given how the narrative after one season suggested that Latu was a ‘bust’ while Verse was deemed the objectively correct choice. Regardless of what trajectory lies ahead, it’s beginning to feel more like both the Colts and Rams made the best pick for them.
When you reach a little deeper into the context of Laiatu Latu’s sophomore season in the league, optimism seeps out. Although it’s going a bit under the radar, Latu is quietly putting together a campaign that reassures those involved in making the pick that their vision was the correct one after all.
Laiatu Latu has generated a 16.0% pressure rate this season, the 11th-highest mark among edge rushers with at least 150 pass rushes (an uptick from his 12.0% mark last season), according to Next Gen Stats. Latu’s 38 pressures lead all Colts’ defenders this season. Without Latu on the field, the Colts’ pressure rate drops 8.9%.
After being regularly compared to star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson as a prospect, it only makes sense that Latu is slowly but surely breaking out under the same defensive mind who fully unlocked Hendrickson while in Cincinnati, Lou Anarumo.
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