Where Laiatu Latu and other UCLA players might be picked – Orange County Register

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 feet 5 inches, 265 pounds

Latu remained a top-three defender in the draft by draft experts, while others called him the best defender in the draft. Latu should go somewhere in the second half of the first round due to his medical history and the fact that this is an offensively heavy class. He has all the tools to be a quality passer at the next level and could be a double-digit sack producer as a rookie. Latu was voted Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and received the Lombardi (outstanding college lineman) and Ted Hendricks (best defensive end) trophies.

Gabriel Murphy

Position: Edge Rusher / Outside Linebacker

Year: Junior red shirt

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 played on the defensive line throughout his college career, but competed as a linebacker. There may be questions about how his lack of length might translate to the next level, but he showed in his two seasons at UCLA that he can play with great instincts and can clear blocks in the run and pass game. He is projected as a late Day 2 or early Day 3 pick.

Grayson Murphy

Position: Edge Rusher / Outside Linebacker

Year: Junior red shirt

Size: 6-3, 260 pounds

He could prove 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 make 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: Senior redshirt

Size: 6-1, 230 pounds

Muasau was the defensive captain of the Bruins’ top 12 defense. The linebacker is expected to be a Day 3 selection and could make the roster as a special teams player.

Carson Steele

Position: To come back

Year: Juniors

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 big plays. If he is drafted (projected at the end of 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.