Colts select Oklahoma DT Jonah Laulu with 234th pick in 7th round during 2024 NFL Draft
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By: Luke Schultheis
The Colts took a chance on a developmental interior pass rushing defensive tackle—with elite athletic measurables.
The Indianapolis Colts selected Oklahoma defensive tackle Jonah Laulu with the 234th pick in the 7th round of the 2024 NFL Draft—which is currently their final slated pick:
Laulu #ForTheShoe ‼️
Welcome to Indy, @Jonah_laulu. pic.twitter.com/YFwC8xoqJK
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) April 27, 2024
The 6’5,” 292 pound defensive tackle (with 33 1/2” arms) recorded 11 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and a sack for the Sooners last season—earning First-Team Academic All-Big 12 honors. He initially began his career at the the University of Hawaii (2018-21).
He has an elite RAS of 9.60 out of a maximum of 10.0.
There was some buzz on Laulu as a ‘Day 3’ pick given his athletic traits and measurables:
One player who’s gained a lot of buzz as a Day 3 pick is Oklahoma DT Jonah Laulu.
Scouts like his size, length (nearly 34-inch arms) and explosiveness — and the fact he can play multiple positions across the defensive line. Laulu was a star tester as well, running in the 4.8s… pic.twitter.com/cPkWfWv0n2
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 17, 2024
Here’s what else they’re saying:
Jonah Laulu is my DL38
Big, long athlete with a killer first step. Good pass rusher. Closing speed is there.
Raw, plays upright. Gets pushed around in the run game. Technique is very iffy.#Colts #HallamAnalysis
— Shane P. Hallam (@ShanePHallam) April 27, 2024
The Colts are pretty set at defensive tackle with both DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart entrenched as the starters, and having signed Raekwon Davis as the run-stuffing rotational backup at nose tackle. Both Dayo Odeyingbo and Tyquan Lewis also have the ability to kick inside on passing downs at defensive tackle.
That being said, with his size, athleticism, and explosiveness, Laulu offers some promise as a developmental interior pass rusher—as it sounds like he’s further along there than against the run, and may be able to crack the rotation at some point.
Round 7 is often about finding special teams contributors or dart throws, so the Colts could’ve done a lot worse than to bet on Laulu’s athletic traits here this late in the game.
Originally posted on Stampede Blue – All Posts