The Indianapolis Colts should see a drastic improvement in their pass rush in 2025 after ranking near the bottom in pressures and sacks in 2024. The good news is they have three young EDGE rushers who could take the next step and dominate in the years to come. Highlighting one of the Colts’ young EDGE rushers who could make a big jump is a former first-round pick.
Indianapolis Colts’ first-round pick had a solid rookie year
Laiatu Latu had a solid rookie season, finishing third on the team in quarterback hits, third in sacks, and second in forced fumbles. He recorded 32 tackles, five TFLs, 12 QB hits, four sacks, and three forced fumbles in 17 games and one start. Latu also posted 38 pressures, 25 hurries, a 14% pass-rush win rate, a 72.1 pass-rush grade, and a 71.5 overall PFF grade.
Indianapolis Colts’ rising star wants to improve 1 thing
After the first day of mandatory minicamp, Laiatu Latu spoke with reporters. He shared that he wants to improve his pass-rush win rate and get-off time, focusing on his reaction to the snap and his first step toward the offensive lineman. This will allow Latu to boost his pressure and sack totals by “shaving off milliseconds.”
“This year, I really want to shave off those milliseconds of where I’m getting to the QB because I felt that,” Latu said via Locked on Colts. “Like a lot of times, my head and my hands I was right there. So really just shaving off those milliseconds and knowing when I can fall back inside, and when they’re working off power. So there’s a lot of stuff I’ve been getting better at.”
PFF names him as the EDGE rusher who will break out in 2025
“The former UCLA star ended his rookie campaign with a 72.1 PFF pass-rushing grade, 38 pressures, and a 14% pass-rush win rate — the best mark on the Colts and third among qualified rookie EDGE rushers, trailing Jared Verse and Chop Robinson,” Bradley Locker said.
“Indianapolis’ defense should fare better in 2025 after adding Lou Anarumo as DC and signing Charvarius Ward, Camryn Bynum, and J.T. Tuimoloau, among others. Samson Ebukam’s (72.6 PFF pass-rushing grade in 2023) return will also catalyze a defensive line that needs more consistent pass-rushers. Latu could evoke shades of his monster final collegiate season in his second year in the NFL.”
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