The Minnesota Vikings had only 43 sacks last season, and 24.5 of those walked out the door with Danielle Hunter and D.J. Wonnum, who signed with the Houston Texans and Carolina Panthers in free agency.
Even after signing Jonathan Greenard, who put up 12.5 sacks last season, the Vikings still need a lot of help at the edge rusher position, which reportedly is something they’re exploring in the NFL Draft.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has reported that UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu is having a Top 30 visit with the Vikings today.
#UCLA edge Laiatu Latu, one of the draft’s best pass rushers, is on a Top 30 visit to the #Vikings today, source said. He was with the #Bears yesterday and already met with the #Broncos, plus he has #AZCardinals tomorrow.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 9, 2024
Latu is considered one of the best pass rushers in the draft and could be the first edge off the board in the draft.
Rapoport pointed out that Latu met with the Chicago Bears yesterday and has already met with the Denver Broncos as well, while still having a visit scheduled with the Arizona Cardinals tomorrow.
Latu has 23.5 sacks and five forced fumbles over his last two years and led the nation last season with 21.5 tackles for loss as the UCLA product has firmly established himself as one of the premier defensive talents in this draft.
At 6’5″ and a strong 259 pounds, Latu put up an impressive 4.64 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine
The Vikings aren’t returning anyone with more than three sacks in 2023, so there will have to be a lot of new guys getting to the quarterback in 2024.
Latu could potentially slot right in as a starter opposite Greenard in this defense that desperately needs another pass rusher.
Minnesota has the 11th and 23rd picks in the draft, and while it’s unlikely Latu is available at 23, he could certainly be in play at 11.
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