NFL Draft Betting: Laiatu Latu Picking Up Steam to be First Defensive Player Drafted

It’s been more than a month since odds for the first defensive player drafted were released, and Dallas Turner has remained steady as the favorite.

But there has been some substantive movement among the other candidates.

UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu has jumped up to No. 2 on that list after opening with the fifth-best odds.

Latu was +800 to be the first defensive player drafted on March 8th, which pitted him behind Turner, Quinyon Mitchell, Jared Verse and Terrion Arnold.

Now Latu is +400, per DraftKings on April 10th, which trails only Turner.

Odds to be the First Defensive Player Drafted

• Dallas Turner -150
• Laiatu Latu +400
• Jared Verse +550
• Quinyon Mitchell +700
• Byron Murphy II +1100
• Terrion Arnold +2200

Many expect the Atlanta Falcons to choose the first defensive player in the draft at No. 8 overall.

An edge rusher makes the most sense based on roster composition and the strength of the draft class, which is why Turner has been earmarked as the favorite.

The Alabama star had 10 sacks this past season and then performed well at the combine, which included a 40-yard dash time of 4.46 seconds.

Turner is 6-foot-3 and 247 pounds, which is a bit smaller than an ideal edge, but not noticeably so.

Turner has -170 odds to be a top-10 pick, while Latu is still a sizable underdog at +425.

Latu could be in the mix because of his ideal measurables and unbelievable college production. 

Latu, who is 6-foot-5 and 259 pounds, compiled 23.5 sacks combined the past two seasons and his pass-rush efficiency numbers were through the roof.

He is the most polished pass-rusher in the draft and could make an immediate impact.

There are some drawbacks with Latu: he is already 23 years old and is not blindingly fast, while a neck injury at Washington will come under heavy scrutiny after it forced him to medically retire at one point.

Latu is an interesting prospect, as some teams could love his production and polish, while others could be wary of the medical.

Ultimately, the Falcons could be the ones to decide at No. 8.