For the first time since 2018, LSU won’t produce a top 5 pick and may not have a player selected in the first round of the NFL draft.
The Tigers have gone four straight years with at least one first-rounder, including a top-5 pick in four straight drafts: linebacker Devin White in 2019, quarterback Joe Burrow in 2020, wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase in 2021 and cornerback Derek Stingley in 2022.
That streak will likely end this year. Though LSU has 16 draft-eligible players, none of them are definitive first-round picks. Only one, edge rusher BJ Ojulari, has appeared near the first round in mock drafts. But recent projections put him in the second round.
“LSU ain’t got a star guy this year,” an NFC scout said. “They got a couple guys here and there that will probably end up being solid players.”
Here are the projections for LSU’s players. The 2023 NFL Draft starts Thursday at 7 p.m. CT in Kansas City.
LSU Draft Prospects
Projection: 2nd round
Ojulari’s pass rush ability made him one of the draft’s top edge defenders. He recorded 5 ½ sacks, 8 ½ tackles for loss and 13 quarterback hurries last season. At 6-foot-2 and 251 pounds, Ojulari may need the right system.
Projection: 3rd to 4th round
After missing the majority of his sophomore year, Bradford returned to the team in 2022 and became a reliable starter. NFL evaluators think he has upside as an offensive guard at 6-foot-4 and 337 pounds.
Projection: 3rd to 5th round
Roy had moments last season on a thin defensive line, but he finished with 49 tackles, 3 ½ tackles for loss, half a sack and three hurries. Though he didn’t take the next step, he has size at 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds. His projection varies.
Projection: 4th to 5th round
A projected first-round pick early last year, Boutte’s stock dropped toward Day 3 after a disappointing junior season. He caught 48 passes for 538 yards and two touchdowns with seven drops coming off an ankle injury.
Jay Ward, DB
Projection: 4th to 6th Round
Ward played corner, nickel and safety during his LSU career. He showed solid pass coverage skills and tackled well in space, making him an intriguing pick in the middle-to-late rounds.
Projection: 7th round to Undrafted
Bernard-Converse, a first-team All Big 12 pick in 2021 at Oklahoma State, has played corner and safety. A pro day star, he jumped 42 inches and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.40 seconds.
Mekhi Garner, DB
Projection: 7th Round to Undrafted
After transferring from UL, Garner tied for the team lead with eight pass breakups last season. His size for a defensive back at 6-foot-2 and 212 pounds interested teams.
Ali Gaye, DE
Projection: 7th Round to Undrafted
Gaye is physically impressive at 6-foot-6 with an 81-inch wingspan, but he only recorded six tackles for loss and 2 ½ sacks without a quarterback hurry last season as the starting defensive end.
Micah Baskerville, LB
Projection: 7th round to Undrafted
Baskerville led LSU with 89 tackles as a fifth-year senior who was a solid coverage linebacker. He may not get drafted because of how his size (6-foot, 224 pounds) would translate to the NFL.
Jaray Jenkins, WR
Projection: 7th round to Undrafted
A key receiver the last three years, Jenkins caught 14 touchdowns and gained 1,303 yards receiving since 2020. Without elite speed, the Jena native may catch on as a special teams player.
Sevyn Banks, CB
Projection: Undrafted
At Ohio State, Banks turned into a starter with early-round draft potential. Injuries derailed his college career. Last season, he only played a few snaps for LSU before suffering a bruised spinal cord.
Joe Foucha, S
Projection: Undrafted
Foucha played four years at Arkansas before spending his final season at LSU. In 10 games, he made 40 tackles and one interception. Foucha measured a shade under 5-foot-10 at LSU’s pro day.
Todd Harris, S
Projection: Undrafted
Harris, who played six years at LSU, was turning into a starter in early 2019 before he suffered a season-ending knee injury. He faded down the depth chart over the next three years.
Mike Jones, LB
Projection: Undrafted
A former hybrid safety/linebacker starter at Clemson, Jones transferred to LSU to play inside. Though a team captain last year, he never became a regular starter.
Colby Richardson, CB
Projection: Undrafted
Richardson transferred from McNeese State and provided depth in a rebuilt cornerback room. He started in 12 games last season with five starts.
Tre’Mond Shorts, OL
Projection: Undrafted
An All-American at East Tennessee State, Shorts spent his final season at LSU. He was a backup offensive lineman who primarily played on special teams.
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