5 first-rounders the Patriots should consider other than a quarterback
5 first-rounders the Patriots should consider other than a quarterback
ED Laiatu Latu
The Patriots are still in the market for an equal pass-rushing talent to play alongside Matthew Judon on the defense, and who better to draft than UCLA's Laiatu Latu?
As the top-ranked EDGE defender, Latu's arrival would catapult the Patriots' already dominant defense to new heights. His college football career was a testament to his prowess, where he emerged as the best pass rusher, terrorizing opposing quarterbacks with 27 sacks, 19 hits, and 81 hurries in 2022 and 2023.
Latu's impressive skills extend beyond pass-rushing. His run defense is equally outstanding, which would be a much-needed boost for New England's defense. This aspect has been a weak point for them team, and with Lawrence Guy's departure in free agency this year, the team will need even more help in this area.
Selecting Latu would help eliminate the concern of the Patriots playing mobile quarterbacks on game day, particularly in the AFC East. Since quarterbacks of that style have become the standard in recent years, it's even more dire that the team bulks up their pass rushers to ensure they won't lose the game due to the opposing quarterback running all over them.
A duo of Judon and Latu and the hopeful reboot of Josh Uche circa 2022 would put them near the top of the best pass-rushing units in the entire league. And that sounds almost better than any other scenario in the first round. Almost.