As many as 13 former LSU players are potential 2018 NFL draft picks

How many former LSU Tigers will hear their name called for the 2018 NFL draft? Quite a few will, and we may be seeing a school record set.

The most LSU players ever taken in any one draft was nine, selected in both the 2013 and ’14 drafts.

Four Tigers set a program record with four players selected in the first round of the 2007 lottery – Jamarcus Russell (first overall by the Raiders), LaRon Landry (sixth overall by Redskins), Dwayne Bowe (22nd by Chiefs) and Craig “Buster” Davis (30th overall by the Chargers).

On two different occasions, three players were chosen in the opening round (2017 and 1951). Last year, Leonard Fournette went fourth overall (Jaguars) closely followed by Jamal Adams at sixth overall (Jets) while Tre’Davious White heard his name as the 27th pick (Bills). In 1951, Y.A. Tittle was taken as the third pick by the 49ers followed by Elbert Van Buren eventh to the Eagles and Kenny Konz as the 14th player chosen by the Browns.

In the 2018 draft, as many as 13 ex-Tigers could be drafted. More than likely, we will see nine or 10 picked. It’s a bit of a stretch, but four players could go in round one. Derrius Guice, D.J. Chark, Arden Key and Donte’ Jackson have a chance to slip into the first 32 selections but I don’t think that’s going to happen for any of them except perhaps Guice.

Here are my projections for the LSU hopefuls later this month:

Will Clapp – 4th or 5th round.
D.J. Chark – late 2nd or early 3rd.
Russell Gage – 7th round or free agent.
Derrius Guice – late 1st round or early second.
Greg Gilmore – 6th round.
Arden Key – free fall may end up in the middle of the 2nd round to somewhere in the third round.
Donte’ Jackson – 2nd round.
Christian LaCouture – 6th-7th round.
Frank Herron – free agent.
K.J. Malone – free agent.
Kevin Toliver – 5th or 6th round.
Toby Weathersby – 6th round.
Darrel Williams- 5th-7th round.