Colts Select Laiatu Latu Edge UCLA

[Goatface Killah]

1 hour ago, smittywerb said:

I mean, i kinda ma because in year 4 Trey had 13.5 sacks and probably way more pressures than paye has had in year 4.  Paye has one more year to show he can be the pass rusher we need.  
 

and only reason why Trey was being compared to Paye is because someone else brought him.  There is honestly no comparison when it comes to their year 4s

Paye hasnt even had a year 4 yet. 

 

His first 3 years are WAY better than Hendricksons first 3 years. 

[Fluke_33]

I thought this was the most obvious lock it up pick for Ballard.  Polianesque pick.  
 

if he was available at 15 he was taking him. I actually thought he would go top 10. 
 

steal of the draft

[#12.]

3 hours ago, cjwhiskers said:

Ballard in his presser insinuates it was for an offensive player.

 

 

"Need two to tango."

 

That's why you dabble in free agency occasionally, Chris, because, you know, you can't do everything in the draft.

 

 

[BCMak24]

5 hours ago, Restinpeacesweetchloe said:

They will. Hill replacement 

Hill has been replaced.....worthy is rice's replacement 

[ColtsGermany]

Finally CB drafted a Edge with production, not only high RAS. But then it's a guy with big injury concerns.

Anyway....any player can get a serious injury on any given play.

So, welcome to Indy! Give everything you have on the field and stay healthy!

 

Gotta find a DB and WR in round 2.

Think DeJean is still on the board?! Round 2 is probably where his value is.

[James]

 

[csmopar]

2 hours ago, #12. said:

 

"Need two to tango."

 

That's why you dabble in free agency occasionally, Chris, because, you know, you can't do everything in the draft.

 

 

We tried. It’s been reported we were the highest bidders on at least two FA players and lost both

[csmopar]

7 hours ago, Dobbinblitz said:

A special phone call for Laiatu Latu

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

Laiatu Latu was just moments into his NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts when he got a call from Colts owner Jim Irsay right on the draft stage. 

“I was on the phone for like a good five minutes,” Latu said, “but then they were rushing me to get off the stage but I wanted to talk to him.” 

Latu said Irsay couldn’t wait to get him in the team facilities to train, especially alongside edge rusher Kwity Paye. The Colts drafted Paye, a Michigan product, in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft.

I’m concerned that they never even talked to this guy. Makes me wonder just how thorough they were on his medical

7 hours ago, boo2202 said:

Has paye earned it? Imo he hasn’t. Just Ballard hanging onto hope for another one of his picks. 

Yes. Paye is just fine. Now with Latu lining up opposite of Paye, look for teams to funnel away from Latu and right into Payes hands. 

6 hours ago, cjwhiskers said:

Ballard in his presser insinuates it was for an offensive player.

 

Interesting. 

5 hours ago, danlhart87 said:

Too blurry, what’s it say

5 hours ago, Yoshinator said:

Latu is an absolute beast. Ballard went BPA. He said he might do this before the draft, and he did. That was incredible we had our choice of every defensive player. Not only did we get him before the other EDGEs and start a run, but we got a position that falls off some after the 1st round and we left ourselves CB and WR for day 2 which are much deeper positions. We also avoided the landmine of trading down where the EDGE run would have taken all of them out.

 

Ballard couldn't have played day 1 of the draft more perfectly.

Well looks like Ballard pleased Jared this time

[Mr. Irrelevant]

4 minutes ago, csmopar said:

I’m concerned that they never even talked to this guy. Makes me wonder just how thorough they were on his medical

What are you on about? They talked to him at the combine, I think a scout also talked to him earlier. And Chris Ballard had tons of questions on his medical status, go listen to Ballard’s press conf.

 

They don’t bring in guys for multiple interviews if they feel good about their character and work ethic etc. He was deemed good from the start.

[Mr. Irrelevant]

I think most of us (all?) hoped that we could somehow grap one of the top three WRs or TE Brock Bowers, but that’s didn’t happen.

 

I’m happy that 1) we at least tried to move up (which means that Ballard is capable of doing it, I had my doubts) and 2) we got the top DE rusher instead which is super important in the AFC that is fully loaded with QB talent at many teams. 

 

Also, I really did like that Ballard said Latu was one of the 4 to 5 players they considered Elite in this draft. I’m warming up to this! 

[2006Coltsbestever]

8 hours ago, DougDew said:

I thought all of the options were good options, even a RT.  Would have been disappointed if we picked DeJean at 15.

 

Yes, I like the pick because it sets us up with long term solutions at the three most important positions on an NFL team, QB, LT, and EDGE, so things fell right for us.  And we have Paye for the other side.

 

As far as Latu specifically, I am concerned about his bend.  From the tape, he seems to run around the OTs sort of straight up instead of ducking around them.  But I may not be seeing it right.  But yes, I like the pick.

Nice to see you so positive Doug. I like the pick as well the more I think about it. Hopefully we have our QB in AR, our LT in Raimann, and now our Edge in Latu + Buckner is still All-Pro worthy on the D.Line. Pittman is a good possession WR but I still wish we had a legit deep threat to really open things up at WR. I guess if Taylor runs the ball at a pro-bowl level it could open things up more, hopefully Nelson stays healthy. I do like Downs a lot. Pierce to me, is on a prove it to me level. 

[Mitch Connors]

I'm not knowledgeable enough to judge this pick but I'm struggling to square two of the most common posts in favor of this pick

 

 1. Injury isn't a big deal.

 2. He would have been top 5 without the injury.

 

Which is it?

Elite talent that has no red flags doesnt fall very far. Is it a red flag or not?

[austriancolt]

On Grigson we....oh wait... on Ballard we trust! Trade down on select one of the two premium CB and get an additional selection. With injury concerns we will see Latu go down with a season ending injury within the first five games. Bet on it we have that kind of luck. Also Ballards track record on Edge players is lousy. 

[Solid84]

1 hour ago, James said:

 

Bruh, the guy is a student of the game. Gotta love that!

[Dingus McGirt]

5 minutes ago, austriancolt said:

On Grigson we....oh wait... on Ballard we trust! Trade down on select one of the two premium CB and get an additional selection. With injury concerns we will see Latu go down with a season ending injury within the first five games. Bet on it we have that kind of luck. Also Ballards track record on Edge players is lousy. 

Nice take.

 

[Creekside]

9 hours ago, ShuteAt168 said:

If you have a chance to get a guy who had cervical fusion surgery a few years ago you take it! 

 

It worked for the Broncos!

[Solid84]

41 minutes ago, csmopar said:

I’m concerned that they never even talked to this guy. Makes me wonder just how thorough they were on his medical.

It seems this injury is mostly about a) if there was and how much nerve damage there was and b) if a patient will recover and how long it'll take to recover. Latu has two years of top college production after the injury. I feel like it's pretty clear there wasn't any nerve damage or he's completely recovered from it.

 

We had nsurg on here saying after the procedure the damaged part of the neck will be the strongest after the fusion.

[2006Coltsbestever]

6 minutes ago, austriancolt said:

On Grigson we....oh wait... on Ballard we trust! Trade down on select one of the two premium CB and get an additional selection. With injury concerns we will see Latu go down with a season ending injury within the first five games. Bet on it we have that kind of luck. Also Ballards track record on Edge players is lousy. 

[csmopar]

29 minutes ago, Mr. Irrelevant said:

What are you on about? They talked to him at the combine, I think a scout also talked to him earlier. And Chris Ballard had tons of questions on his medical status, go listen to Ballard’s press conf.

 

They don’t bring in guys for multiple interviews if they feel good about their character and work ethic etc. He was deemed good from the start.

Latu was interviewed twice last night, once for nfl radio and once on tv, both times, BOTH times he said he never had any talks with anyone from the Colts and had no idea they were interested. To me, that’s telling. Go watch the clips for yourself if you don’t believe me

[NFLfan]

5 hours ago, Sheffieldcolt said:

First post here but I do really like this pick. Sure the injury side of things is a risk but he’s played 2 years with it and had no problems from it, so I don’t see why it’s anymore of a risk picking him than taking a player who isn’t as talented and hoping he ends up been the better player than Latu. Just my opinion but there’s always some form of risk with picks but at least skill doesn’t seem to be one with Latu

 

Welcome! I guess you are from Sheffield. We have a mod from Sheffield. He has been away but we miss him.

 

Glad that you are pleased with the pick.

[csmopar]

3 minutes ago, Solid84 said:

It seems this injury is mostly about a) if there was and how much nerve damage there was and b) if a patient will recover and how long it'll take to recover. Latu has two years of top college production after the injury. I feel like it's pretty clear there wasn't any nerve damage of he's completely recovered from it.

 

We had nsurg on here saying after the procedure the damaged part of the neck will be the strongest after the fusion.

Yea and nsurg and his post definitely helped to lower my concerns but the concern still lingers for me.

[2006Coltsbestever]

8 minutes ago, csmopar said:

Latu was interviewed twice last night, once for nfl radio and once on tv, both times, BOTH times he said he never had any talks with anyone from the Colts and had no idea they were interested. To me, that’s telling. Go watch the clips for yourself if you don’t believe me

Ballard is sneaky 

[John Waylon]

All he has to do to move up the list of “best edge rushers drafted by Ballard” is be better than ben banogu, so just showing up and registering a pulse automatically moves him up the board. 

[Archer]

4 minutes ago, 2006Coltsbestever said:

Ballard is sneaky 

True.  Ballard did say that scouts met with him informally at the SB or something, but it wasn’t enough contact for Latu to even remember.  

[cdgacoltsfan]

13 minutes ago, csmopar said:

Latu was interviewed twice last night, once for nfl radio and once on tv, both times, BOTH times he said he never had any talks with anyone from the Colts and had no idea they were interested. To me, that’s telling. Go watch the clips for yourself if you don’t believe me

The Colts had an entourage at the senior bowl week. He was unstoppable. I'm sure they chatted. 

[Solid84]

7 minutes ago, csmopar said:

Latu was interviewed twice last night, once for nfl radio and once on tv, both times, BOTH times he said he never had any talks with anyone from the Colts and had no idea they were interested. To me, that’s telling. Go watch the clips for yourself if you don’t believe me

It's a valid point, but the Colts under Ballard have done this a few times before this.

 

The Top 30 visits have been reported before as a way for teams to get clarity on a player if they have concerns or questions.

 

Kwity (and Dayo?) has worked with him and I'm guessing the Colts must've liked what they heard about him. If anything it just makes me more confident when the Colts, who are so concerned about character, draft him without meeting him.

[throwing BBZ]

7 hours ago, w87r said:

Doesn't sound like a team ready to move on from Paye.

 

 

I would give him his 5th year bonus and reevaluate again after the season, long term.

 

 Year 4 is year one of NFL Prime. Kwity was very good last season.

Kwity was credited with 0 missed tackles. He also plays his flat like a beast. 

 He is a riser. We need a good blitzing LB. 

 Blitzing when you have corners that can only cover the zone in front of them from ten yards off for 2 seconds... Ballard is in the stone age. 

 Our division rivals are glad he is here.

 

[Crunked]

Latu is a great potential talent, injury history and his slight build are both concerns for me. The injury is 2 years removed so maybe its a non issue, but its there, so just concerned about how long it holds up career wise.....His skinny frame can be bulked without effecting speed or twitch (Freeney comes to mind he thickened out and remained effective) but right now Latu kind of reminds me of a Jason Taylor frame from Miami.....Taylor made it work so maybe Latu can as well.....but those are my 2 concerns on the pick.......and I dont see this impacting Paye in any way......I think both can work in harmony in the scheme and rotationally.....pick up Kwity's 5th year option and let the upcoming season(s) play out with them as a tandem and adapt from there. 

[ColtStrong2013]

43 minutes ago, Mitch Connors said:

I'm not knowledgeable enough to judge this pick but I'm struggling to square two of the most common posts in favor of this pick

 

 1. Injury isn't a big deal.

 2. He would have been top 5 without the injury.

 

Which is it?

Elite talent that has no red flags doesnt fall very far. Is it a red flag or not?

I haven’t seen he would have been. More along the lines of could have been. 
 

14 straight offensive players. He was the best defensive player in the draft as far as the colts board, the first defender taken, and that being the opinion of several analysts. Some have said “it’s not even close.” 

 

Is there a team or two in the top 10 that might have picked him over the offensive player they went with, if they had no concerns? Possibly. What a weird top half of the draft. 

[RockThatBlue]

Took me a minute but I am excited for this pick! He could be our best pass rusher since the Mathis and Freeney days. 

[CR91]

I have no issues with this pick. Most likely Latu was the best player left on the colts board. Ballard did say he was trying to trade up so my guess is they wanted one of the three WRs. If I had to guess Rome

[csmopar]

For the record. I like the production based pick. I like his tape, he wins with a lot of variety of moves. 
I wanted a playmaking WR but getting the highest EDGE in the draft where without the run on QBs, he’d been a top 8 pick, I’m get the value there.

 

my concern is the injury to the neck. That’s my sticking point.

 

I know some wanted Dallas, he’s a 3-4 OLB and not a scheme fit. And the CBs in this draft don’t impress me at all.  Not enough for a first round pick.

 

so really, I don’t dislike the pick, I don’t love the pick but I also don’t like it cause of injury concerns. 
 

 

[csmopar]

8 minutes ago, Crunked said:

Latu is a great potential talent, injury history and his slight build are both concerns for me. The injury is 2 years removed so maybe its a non issue, but its there, so just concerned about how long it holds up career wise.....His skinny frame can be bulked without effecting speed or twitch (Freeney comes to mind he thickened out and remained effective) but right now Latu kind of reminds me of a Jason Taylor frame from Miami.....Taylor made it work so maybe Latu can as well.....but those are my 2 concerns on the pick.......and I dont see this impacting Paye in any way......I think both can work in harmony in the scheme and rotationally.....pick up Kwity's 5th year option and let the upcoming season(s) play out with them as a tandem and adapt from there. 

I think he supplants Dayo more than Paye

[jvan1973]

10 hours ago, indyagent17 said:

History of neck injuries Ballard could’ve easily traded back here and still got this kid later. I think Ballard screwed the pooch on this one.

"Easily traded back"

 

[MikeCurtis]

The doctors at UCLA cleared the kid to play And he played for 2 years without a problem

 

The Colts have a full time medical staff….. and I am 100% sure that they had specialists review him.

 

He has been cleared to play 

 

Keep in mind these doctors would be sued if they got the prognosis wrong

 

 

 

The kid is the most advanced pass rusher in this draft

I count this as a big WIN

 

 

 

[Dingus McGirt]

2 minutes ago, MikeCurtis said:

The doctors at UCLA cleared the kid to play And he played for 2 years without a problem

 

The Colts have a full time medical staff….. and I am 100% sure that they had specialists review him.

 

He has been cleared to play 

 

Keep in mind these doctors would be sued if they got the prognosis wrong

 

 

 

The kid is the most advanced pass rusher in this draft

I count this as a big WIN

 

 

 

Yes.  Think about it...the young man was advised to not play again/retire.  He persevered.  

[jvan1973]

1 minute ago, MikeCurtis said:

The doctors at UCLA cleared the kid to play And he played for 2 years without a problem

 

The Colts have a full time medical staff….. and I am 100% sure that they had specialists review him.

 

He has been cleared to play 

 

Keep in mind these doctors would be sued if they got the prognosis wrong

 

 

 

The kid is the most advanced pass rusher in this draft

I count this as a big WIN

 

 

 

A doctor would not be sued.  They are giving an evaluation.   He isn't their patient.   No doctor would be willing to give evaluations if they were liable for future injuries.     

 

What I have read is the danger from the surgery is behind him.   He didn't have nerve damage and the fusion was a success 

[Restinpeacesweetchloe]

Kevin Bowen made a good point on the radio this morning. In the past Ballard would have taken Turner. He would have taken the high traits guy. This time he took the polished guy who was proven. I can live with that. I would have been mad had we taken him over the four big pass catchers but they were gone.

[RollerColt]

One way to counter all the offensive power is to definitely bulk up the defensive line. Belichick was pretty positive talking about Latu, and he knows defensive players better than probably all of the other analysts out there. A monster defensive lineman can really make a difference, just ask Joe Burrow after his Super Bowl loss. 

 

The neck stuff concerns me a bit. But, I'm pulling for this kid, and hope he has a long, healthy and productive career with us.

 

 

[Dingus McGirt]

21 minutes ago, Crunked said:

Latu is a great potential talent, injury history and his slight build are both concerns for me. The injury is 2 years removed so maybe its a non issue, but its there, so just concerned about how long it holds up career wise.....His skinny frame can be bulked without effecting speed or twitch (Freeney comes to mind he thickened out and remained effective) but right now Latu kind of reminds me of a Jason Taylor frame from Miami.....Taylor made it work so maybe Latu can as well.....but those are my 2 concerns on the pick.......and I dont see this impacting Paye in any way......I think both can work in harmony in the scheme and rotationally.....pick up Kwity's 5th year option and let the upcoming season(s) play out with them as a tandem and adapt from there. 

My first reaction when he came out on stage - "Wow he's long and wiry."   Given his mental determination to go on despite the surgery, I believe he'll do whatever is necessary to thicken up - just enough to not impact his speed.  And...he wasn't wearing sunglasses.