The Indianapolis Colts have already seen flashes of how special their 2024 first-round pick , Laiatu Latu, can be at the NFL level.
Colts All-Pro defensive tackle and locker room leader DeForest Buckner sees similarities to a former teammate of his, Nick Bosa, in the team's rookie edge rusher.
Nick Bosa
Bosa and Buckner were teammates on the San Francisco 49ers during Bosa's rookie season in 2019. It was a successful year for Bosa, who was selected to be a Pro Bowler and had nine sacks, 25 QB hits, and 16 tackles for loss. And according to Buckner during his interview with Kay Adams on the Up & Adams show, Latu has a similar vibe to him that reminds Buckner of Bosa.
"I was talking to Chris (Ballard) about this a couple of days ago. I was just telling him that when I was with Nick (Bosa) his rookie year, him coming in, seeing him do drills, seeing him in teams, I was very encouraged seeing him and knew he would make a big difference for us moving forward. And with Laiatu, it's the same vibes, I'm not going to lie. I know that's some big shoes and somebody to really follow in Nick Bosa. A former defensive player of the year, but Laiatu has all the characteristics and potential to his game"
- Colts DT DeForest Buckner
Following Samson Ebukam's injury , Latu is likely to be elevated into the Colts' starting lineup earlier than expected. The people I've spoken to with the team have a similar read on Latu as both a player and a person, which is that he is beyond impressive. Buckner went into more detail about the similarities he sees between Latu and Bosa, sharing the following evaluation of their skills.
"The way they go through drills, they are so polished. His handwork is really good; he can find multiple ways to win. One thing I can say he is a little taller than Nick, but he is slippery. I saw him on a rush last week; it was actually off of Kenny Moore's interception , Laiatu brought the pressure toward the quarterback, but I thought he was done for in his rush, and he kind of changed levels and slipped under Garret Boles and I was like "Woah." I've seen it multiple times throughout the season with different guys around the league, but seeing it on our own team in Laiatu, he brings a different attribute to the mix."
- Colts DT DeForest Buckner
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