Defensive Tackle Jonah Laulu was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round (234th overall pick) of the 2024 NFL Draft. Yet, as every professional sports fan knows, you don’t have to be a first-round pick to have a long and successful career.
Laulu began his collegiate career at Hawaii. In 2021, he produced 34 tackles, four sacks, and eight tackles for loss. The Las Vegas native then transferred to Oklahoma. During his first season with the Sooners, he had 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and an interception. Last season, he recorded 11 tackles (three for loss), and a sack.
It won’t shock anyone if Laulu doesn’t make the Colts’ 53-man roster this year. He must compete with several defensive linemen in camp to win a spot. That will be a challenging task for a seventh-round pick, but it’s not impossible.
Will Colts Rookie Jonah Laulu Have a Solid Career?
Brock Purdy, an Impact Seventh-Rounder
Many seventh-round picks in NFL history developed into impact players. Brock Purdy, of course, is a perfect example. It’s hard to believe that the quarterback out of Iowa State was the final pick in the 2022 draft. He went from “Mr. Irrelevant” to an MVP candidate, who helped lead the San Francisco 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance.
Purdy only has two seasons under his belt. But if he continues to play like he has, he could go down as the NFL’s greatest seventh-round pick of all time.
Other Notable Seventh-Round Picks in NFL History
Who is the greatest seventh-rounder in league history? Perhaps that title belongs to Larry Wilson. The legendary safety was drafted by the St. Louis (now Arizona) Cardinals back in 1960. Wilson spent his entire 13-year career with the franchise. The eight-time Pro Bowler was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978.
Shannon Sharpe is another good example. Known for hosting TV shows and interviewing celebrities, he was also a great NFL tight end. The Savannah State product was drafted in 1990. He played for the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens, winning three Super Bowls and making the Hall of Fame.
After memorable draft day call, Former #HawaiiFB defensive lineman Jonah Laulu readies for NFL journey alongside #Hawaii's DeForest Buckner in Indianapolis https://t.co/iWm5YAD7q3 🗒️ @c_shimabuku #NFLDraft #NFLHawaii #Colts #ForTheShoe 🤙🏽 @Jonah_laulu pic.twitter.com/0M6lcI49hT
— Rob DeMello (@RobDeMelloKHON) April 30, 2024
Other notable seventh-round picks include players like Joe Schmidt, Jim Ringo, Gene Hickerson, and Bobby Mitchell. And you can’t forget about Bo Jackson, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Raiders in 1987. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted him No. 1 overall the previous year, but he signed a baseball contract with the Kansas City Royals instead.
Can Jonah Laulu Make the Colts’ Roster?
The Colts have a talented defensive line. Last season, the unit had the fifth-most sacks in the league and ranked 10th in yards per rush allowed. On the interior, DeForest Buckner is one of the league’s top defensive tackles and Grover Stewart is a fantastic run-stuffer.
Indianapolis is deep at defensive end. Kwity Paye, Dayo Odeyingbo, and Samson Ebukam each produced at least eight sacks last season.
The defensive line also possesses rookie Laiatu Latu, Raekwon Davis, who was signed this offseason, Tyquan Lewis, and Adetomiwa Adebawore. Again, it will be hard for Jonah Laulu to come away with a roster spot. Even if he doesn’t make the roster, he can catch on with another team and end up having a solid NFL career.
At 6’5” and 292 pounds, Laulu is big and athletic. He scored a 9.62 RAS score out of a possible 10.0. However, last season he had a not-so-great 27.9 tackle grade. If he can improve his tackling, the sky is the limit.
Main Photo: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports/ USA TODAY NETWORK
