The Indianapolis Colts made some history during the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft when they selected UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu with the No. 15 overall pick.
Since the NFL merger in 1966, the latest a defensive player has been taken was at No. 8 overall. That was in 2021 when the Carolina Panthers selected cornerback Jaycee Horn out of South Carolina.
In 2024, however, there was an insane run of offensive players to begin the first round. The first 14 players selected in the draft came on the offensive side of the ball. That included an unprecedented six quarterbacks being drafted in the first 12 picks.
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The Colts put an end to that slide, though, when they selected Latu with the No. 15 overall pick in the first round. It's the lowest the first defensive player was selected in a draft during the common draft era (1967).
It's also the lowest the first defensive player was selected since 1946, which was a completely different brand of football and drafting altogether.
Only nine defensive players were taken in the first round of the draft, which is the fewest in the history of the 32-team NFL draft. The previous record low was 13 defensive players selected, which happened both in 2004 and 2009.
It was expected that the first round would lean into the offensive side of the ball, but the Colts are now a part of a historic mark in the NFL Draft after Thursday night's results.
For more Colts coverage, check out Kevin Hickey's work on Sporting News.
