Colts break record streak of 14 consecutive offensive players taken in NFL draft with UCLA DE Latu

UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu became the first defensive player selected in the NFL draft on Thursday night, going No. 15 overall to Indianapolis to snap a record streak of 14 consecutive offensive players selected.

The last first-round pick that had elapsed before a defensive player was used was No. 8 overall. That’s where the Carolina Panthers acquired 2021 cornerback Jaycee Horn.

Not only was the 14 consecutive offensive players picked in the draft a record, it was the first time that 14 consecutive offensive players were picked at any point in the draft. Six of those players were quarterbacks, including USC’s Caleb Williams to Chicago, LSU’s Jayden Daniels to Washington and North Carolina’s Drake Maye to New England with the top three picks.

There were also three wide receivers in the top 10 and three offensive tackles in the top 14.

Oregon State tackle Taliese Fuaga was pick No. 14 of the New Orleans Saints.

Then the Colts came to finally get on defense.

Latu was an All-American and Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 and led major college football with 21 1/2 tackles for loss, including 13 sacks.

Seattle then made it two straight defensive linemen when it cost Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy at No. 16 and the Vikings traded up to make it three in a row with Alabama outside linebacker Dallas Turner.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

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