Bears officially meet with pass rusher Laiatu Latu on a Top-30 visit ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft
The Chicago Bears are doing some extensive homework on some of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft to get some clarity on who the team should select with the ninth overall pick in the first round. After it was reported that the Bears were bringing in three of the top wide receivers in […]
The Chicago Bears are doing some extensive homework on some of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft to get some clarity on who the team should select with the ninth overall pick in the first round.
After it was reported that the Bears were bringing in three of the top wide receivers in the draft early this week, it was also revealed that the Bears also brought in UCLA pass rusher Laiatu Latu.
The Athletic's Kevin Fishbain first reported that the Bears had a scheduled Top-30 visit with the top defensive end today, and Latu himself confirmed his visit on social media.
The Bears are looking to add either a top wide receiver, pass rusher, or offensive tackle with their ninth overall pick in the draft and no matter how it shakes out, the front office will have their choice at one of those three positions.
Bears' head coach Matt Eberflus has been very open this offseason about wanting to add another pass rusher to his defense to pair alongside Montez Sweat in the draft.
"It's important that we get that piece because you have to have the 1-2 punch." Eberflus said via the team's official website. "You look at who affects the quarterback the most, I would also argue that the inside piece is also something that we should be looking at, and it's important that we do that… We're looking at all pass rushers. It can be inside, outside, all along the line. We're having an open mind in that regard."
Both general manager Ryan Poles and Eberflus have stated how excited they are about the possibilities with the ninth overall pick, and adding a top pass rusher is certainly one of the options.
Latu had some injury concerns coming into the NFL Scouting Combine but noted that none of the teams he met with brought up his injury history. Perhaps this will be a better time for the Bears' front office and coaches to learn more about Latu as a prospect and his fit in Chicago ahead of the draft later this month.
During his final season at UCLA, Latu racked up 13.0 sacks with two forced fumbles and two interceptions. He would be an ideal option to pair on the opposite side of Sweat on the defensive front if everything checks out and the Bears are interested.
Along with bringing in Latu for a visit, the Bears have also met with various other pass rushers such as Alabama's Dallas Turner, Penn State's Chop Robinson & Adisa Isaac, Michigan's Jaylen Harrell, Florida State's Jared Verse, and Texas' defensive tackle Byron Murphy II.
