The Indianapolis Colts defensive line is stacked with experience and talent. Unfortunately, on July 29th, ESPN reported that 2023 Colts sack-leader, Samson Ebukam suffered a season-ending achilles injury. With this injury, however, it will leave room for veteran edge rushers, Kwity Paye and Dayo Odeyingbo to step up. Most importantly, though, it will leave room for rookie edge rusher Laiatu Latu to make an impact on day one for the Colts.
While the injury to Ebukam is certainly a loss, the Colts still have a lot of depth on their defensive line. Last season, the Colts were fifth in the league in team sacks with 51. Ebukam, though, accounted for nine of these sacks. He was projected to have another productive season this year, but unfortunately, that will be put on pause until 2025. The silver lining within this news is that Colts first-round draft pick Laiatu Latu could see more playing time and more opportunities to shine as a rookie.
How Laiatu Latu Could Make an Impact for the Colts
Laiatu Latu was the first overall pick by the Colts and the first defensive player taken off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft. Latu is destined to be a top-tier edge rusher in this league. However, he might have to showcase his top-tier capabilities sooner rather than later.
Latu’s Playmaking Ability Speaks For Itself
Laiatu Latu played three years in college and spent his last two years at UCLA. After a devastating neck injury while at the University of Washington, Latu came back to play with a vengeance. In his last year at UCLA, he led the NCAA in tackles for loss with 22. He led the Pac-12 in sacks with 12 as well as leading the Pac-12 in forced fumbles with three. He also received several prestigious awards, including Consensus All-American, Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year, the Ted Hendricks Award, and the Vince Lombardi Award.
Needless to say, the Colts got a steal with the 15th overall pick, as many believed that Latu was the best defensive player in the draft. Based on his college career alone, that case is strong. Latu’s college career had similar impact as Aidan Hutchinson had at Michigan in his final year. Hutchinson is an up-and-coming impact edge rusher for the Detroit Lions. The Colts will look for Laiatu Latu to translate his abilities from college to the NFL, just as Hutchinson did.
Latu Has Complimentary Pieces Around Him
There is no question that Laiatu Latu has the skills and talent to be formidable on this Colts defensive line. That being said, though, he has so many veteran playmakers around him who can help him develop. The Colts’ defensive line is led by three-time Pro Bowler and all-pro defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. Along side him on the interior is veteran tackle, Grover Stewart, who, last season, solidified that he is a force in the interior.
In addition to the stout interior on the defensive line, the Colts also have solid veteran edge rushers. Their most prominent edge rusher is fourth-year playmaker Kwity Paye. He is coming off his best season, as he finished with eight sacks and 52 total tackles. Like Laiatu Latu, Paye was a first-round draft pick in 2021. Therefore, entering year four, he is expected to have a productive season. Another fourth-year edge rusher is Dayo Odeyingbo, who also finished 2023 with eight sacks.
All of these playmakers with the addition of Laiatu Latu could prove to be crucial to the Colts dominance at defensive line. The injury to Samson Ebukam was a huge loss. However, the Colts have enough playmakers to continue the dominance that they displayed last season.
Main Image: Christine Tannous – USA Today Sports
