The Los Angeles Rams are joining the rest of the league in going through the early stages of NFL free agency. General manager Les Snead has also added multiple starters, including guard Jonah Jackson from the Detroit Lions.
While the up-and-coming team is still scouring the open market for upgrades, attention will soon turn to the 2024 NFL Draft.
Los Angeles boasts the 19th pick in the annual event next month. We have already looked at some potential options for the Rams as they look to unseat the rival San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West this coming season.
We can now add another to the mix. NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger just recently pointed to a perfect fit for the Rams’ first-round pick. You might be familiar with him.
Related: Laiatu Latu NFL Draft Profile
Expert Reveals UCLA Product Laiatu Latu As Perfect Fit For The Los Angeles Rams
“Last year, the Rams struck gold in the third round (Byron Young and Kobie Turner). Both players put up good years, became starters. Combined they had 17 sacks,” Baldinger said. “I think you are still in the market for a defensive end. Remember, two years ago they tried to trade for Brian Burns. It never happened. Now, maybe this is a chance that they can go get themselves a pass rusher like Laiatu Latu. I just think that this could be a spot.”
The 6-foot-4, 261-pound Latu shined at the recnt NFL Scouting Combine. We’ve compared him to Jacksonville Jaguars star Josh Allen. Acquiring that type of talent in the second half of Round 1 would be an absolute steal.
Latu went through a lot during his college career, including a neck injury that sidelined him for the entire 2020 season. One year later, and coach Jimmy Lake actually announced Latu’s retirement due to concern over paralysis if he returned to play.
Despite this, the EDGE rusher showed out big time when he transferred from Washington to UCLA ahead of the 2022 campaign. This past season saw him record 21.5 tackles for loss and 13 sacks.
Latu would certainly make sense for the Rams after the aforementioned Young and Turner showed out as rookies. Young recorded 19 QB hits and eight sacks from the EDGE position. Turner turned in a stellar initial campaign, racking up 16 QB hits and nine sacks of his own.
The Rams have focused on fortifying their offensive line during NFL free agency. They could now turn their attention to the trenches on the other side of the ball. It would make perfect sense.