Ben Solak of ESPN recently put together his All-Rookie NFL team, and included was Indianapolis Colts’ defensive end Laiatu Latu.
Just like with the All-Pro honors, there is a first-team and a second-team. Latu was a second-team selection, with the Rams’ Jared Verse and the Dolphins’ Chop Robinson being the first-team picks.
Latu finished the 2024 season with 38 pressures, which were the second-most on the Colts’ defense, and four sacks. He steadily showcased the ability to win his one-on-one matchups, ranking 30th out of 121 defensive ends in PFF’s win rate metric.
Latu also improved as a run defender as the season went on as well.
“He’s really evolved to where not only is he a rusher, he can rush the passer, but he’s got really good football instincts,” said Gus Bradley prior to the New England game. “His chase and run ability, the effort that he shows on tape, all those things are putting him in a position to make some big plays for us.”
Compared to Verse and Robinson, Latu finished third in pressures among the rookie defensive end class, with Verse totaling a whopping 84 of them and Robinson 56.
Latu would have the second-most run stops and the second best run defense grade, according to PFF’s metrics, trailing Verse in both categories.
As far as the other Colts’ rookies go, Latu was really the only one who had a real chance of making Solak’s All-Rookie Team.
Matt Goncalves, Tanor Bortolini, and Jaylon Carlies didn’t see enough steady playing time, while AD Mitchell was very inconsistent.