NFL draft 2024: Where Laiatu Latu and other UCLA players might be picked
With the NFL draft beginning Thursday, here’s a look at where UCLA prospects can expect to be selected during the three-day draft.
Laiatu Latu
Position: Edge rusher
Year: Senior
Size: 6-foot-5, 265 pounds
Latu has remained a consistent top 3 edge rusher by draft pundits while others have called him the best defender in the draft. Latu is expected to go somewhere in the second half of the first round due to his medical history and it being an offensive-heavy class. He has all the tools to be a quality pass rusher at the next level and could be a double-digit sack producer as a rookie. Latu was voted the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and was awarded the Lombardi (outstanding college lineman) and Ted Hendricks (best defensive end) trophies.
Gabriel Murphy
Position: Edge rusher / Outside linebacker
Year: Redshirt junior
Size: 6-3, 260 pounds
He represented UCLA at the Shrine Bowl and the NFL combine, and will be on the radar of several teams. He did play on the defensive line throughout his college career but participated in the combine as a linebacker. There may be some questions about how his lack of length could translate to the next level but he showed over his two seasons at UCLA that he can play with great instincts and can shed blocks in the run and pass game. He’s projected as a late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick.
Grayson Murphy
Position: Edge rusher / Outside linebacker
Year: Redshirt junior
Size: 6-3, 260 pounds
He may turn out to be a steal as a fourth or fifth round pick. Grayson wasn’t invited to the combine so conversations with teams may have been limited throughout the draft process but he did take a top 30 visit to the Seattle Seahawks. He had 32 tackles (nine for a loss), five sacks, 11 QB hits and two forced fumbles in 2023.
Darius Muasau
Position: Linebacker
Year: Redshirt senior
Size: 6-1, 230 pounds
Muasau was the defensive captain for the Bruins’ top 12 defense. The linebacker is expected to be a Day 3 selection and could make a roster as a special teams player.
Carson Steele
Position: Running back
Year: Junior
Size: 6-1, 225 pounds
Steele led the Bruins in rushing (847 yards) in his only season with the Bruins. He has great size for the position and has remained impressive with his ability to create chunk plays. If he’s drafted (projected late Day 3) he could become the fifth UCLA running back to be drafted out of Westwood in as many years with DeShaun Foster as the running backs coach.
Alex Johnson
Position: Defensive back
Year: Redshirt senior
Size: 6-1, 190 pounds
Johnson is coming off a breakout year where he had five interceptions and a fumble recovered for a touchdown. The San Francisco 49ers will be a team to watch after having communicated with him multiple times during the draft process. He’s projected as a late Day 3 option.
Other players who could be drafted as late-round draft picks or undrafted free agents: Defensive lineman Carl Jones Jr., Safety Kenny Churchwell III, Running back Colson Yankoff, Center Duke Clemens, Wide receiver Josiah Norwood.