Chicago Bears Mock Draft: Ryan Poles makes an unprecedented trade, revamps offense

1.13: Laiatu Latu, EDGE - UCLA

The Chicago Bears move down from 9 to 13 but still come away with a player who will make an immediate impact. Laiatu Latu is the third EDGE rusher on my board, but the second on my Bears' specific board. I am a big fan of Jared Verse, but Verse wasn't available at 13. As much as I like Verse, Latu actually has more upside. My fear here is his medicals.

Latu missed an entire season due to a severe neck injury. He was told he would probably not play again. After medical treatment, Latu returned and transferred from Washington to UCLA. He had a breakout season with UCLA in 2022 and followed that up with better numbers in 2023. With back-to-back seasons of double-digit sacks on his resume, Latiatu Latu is primed to be a first-round pick in 2024 as long as his medicals check out. If they do, he could be the best EDGE rusher in the draft. If they don't, teams will send him spiraling down draft boards.

What I love about Latu is his ability to use his hands. He is a technician with speed and power. He has a great set of countermoves too. He's also fast with a great burst off the line. I didn't see enough success with his hand on the ground, but he proved himself worthy in that area while at the Senior Bowl. Ryan Poles looks at the upside and grabs Latu to be a rotational sack specialist to start his career. I'd expect six to seven sacks in his rookie season.