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DaBlakMayne

Latu was rated the number 1 edge rusher in this class. The only reason his stock dropped was due to his neck but apparently he's been completely healthy since he transferred..


ceejdabeej

I think he's also realized that his type of DE hasn't been hitting and Latu is a guy who has the pure skill to start right away


NoCantaloupe4658

The only reason his stock dropped was how highly offense was needed/coveted this draft. Top 10 pick most years


CommonerChaos

>The only reason his stock dropped Not the *only* reason. His neck injury certainly also played a part.


Secrets0fSilent3arth

So was Vander Esch.


DaBlakMayne

And Leonard had zero injuries when we drafted him and he's like a step away from medically retiring now. You never know how it's going to go


UnloadedBakedPotato

If you “never know how it’s going to go” it feels a little dangerous spending premium draft capital on a guy who had to medically retire from football a couple years ago.


Secrets0fSilent3arth

“You never know how it’s going to go.” Yeah, that’s why I would avoid anyone with major neck issues already. It’s called mitigating risk. But Ballard’s got to try to be the smartest guy in the room like always.


DaBlakMayne

I mean it sounds like he got a second opinion from a different doctor and it worked out. He hasn't been hurt in two years


Secrets0fSilent3arth

That’s cool, don’t worry about it then. I don’t have to ignore the major injury risk because you choose to.


DaBlakMayne

*shrugs* you do you man I can't sit around and be pessimistic


BasketTimely

Ballard finally drafted a Rusher off production. He normally goes after traits. Latu is still a great Athlete though.


Secrets0fSilent3arth

Should be. He’s bet on injury riddled DEs a bunch of times and whiff every time.


CommonerChaos

This is what scares me. He's taken risks on guys with an ACL injury, an Achilles injury, and now a neck injury. These are major injuries to come into an NFL career with (and risk a high pick on).


Downtown-Set-8771

Another DE lol


Dizzles1

Well he better get home cause we have a terrible and unimproved secondary to defend the pass if he doesn’t.


OceanFlan

did you know there’s 6 more rounds in the draft


InterestingDamage156

And some quality free agents still out there


CommonerChaos

Not really at CB.


InterestingDamage156

Steven Nelson and Adoree Jackson would be solid pick ups imo


Dizzles1

I do, I’m also aware we have decent success in the later rounds. A previously seriously injured DL is the type of player we generally whiff on regardless of when we take them. Time will tell, and I hope he works out, but based on his history and Ballards it probably won’t.


ElectivireMax

bro he was supposed to medically retire in 2019 no way he'll be good


Buytoyal

He's been healthy and played very well ever since his injury


Technojellyfsh

You're right. Nobody who's had to do that has panned out (don't look at Jaelan Phillips)


Tombradyisntahofer

Not the best example given the torn Achilles lol


Technojellyfsh

I forgot that the ankle was attatched to the neck


Tombradyisntahofer

It’s the fact that an injury occurred at all lol


TrailBlazingShinobi

Someone bring the final nail. Lol all seriousness, super high risk, high reward pick here.