​Zachary Pereles of CBS Sports recently revisited and redrafted the 2024 NFL draft, and the Indianapolis Colts’ Round 1 outcome remained unchanged in his scenario. In the actual 2024 draft, the Colts selected defensive end Laiatu Latu with the 15th overall pick, and Pereles’ redraft mirrored that same pick. He notes that Latu “quietly made a nice jump in 2025, his first season as a full-time starter,” highlighting that the pass rusher more than doubled his sacks from his rookie year, climbing from 4.0 to 8.5. Latu also posted a solid 14.7% pressure rate and managed an impressive three interceptions, two of which were standout individual plays. Pereles points out that he is one of only two defensive linemen to deliver a three-interception season this century, underscoring the unusual versatility and impact Latu demonstrated for a defensive end.
In Pereles’ redraft, a handful of players were selected after Latu, including center Graham Barton, center Zach Frazier, cornerback Nate Wiggins, and wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Rome Odunze. Beyond the standout sack production, Latu’s improvements extended across the board in his second year. He increased his total pressures from 38 as a rookie to 61 in the most recent season, a figure that ranked 15th among players at his position. Latu has consistently shown exceptional bend and burst off the edge, and to support continued development, he has focused on adding muscle this offseason to bolster his power game.
Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo has expressed belief that Latu can reach a double-digit sack total this season, a milestone that would further validate the early trajectory outlined in the redraft. The article in which this scenario appears originally appeared on Colts Wire, under the headline Indianapolis Colts land familiar face in 2024 NFL redraft for better SEO.