LSU's Jones, Mills likely second-round picks – Shreveport Times
METAIRIE – For the second straight year, LSU was not expected to have a player taken in the first round of the NFL Draft.
But this is not all because of a slide in the football program with back-to-back, eight-win regular seasons for the first time since 2008 and ’09. LSU coach Les Miles and his staff began preaching to junior draft prospects to stay after he lost 19 juniors to the draft from 2012-14, and many of those did not go in the first and second rounds.
The Tigers have not been as talented in recent years, which has also helped keep players at LSU for their senior seasons. But for just the second time in Miles’ tenure that began in 2005, a likely first-round pick decided to return for his senior season this year. That was cornerback Tre’Davious White of Green Oaks High School. The previous one was defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, who was the fifth pick of the draft in 2008. Middle linebacker Kendell Beckwith also decided to stay for his senior season in 2016 when he could have been selected in the second or third rounds.
In all, LSU will likely have just five players selected in the NFL Draft, which will hold its second and third rounds beginning at 6 p.m. Friday on ESPN and the NFL Network and continue with the fourth through seventh rounds at 11 a.m. Saturday on the two networks. Four of those five are seniors. The Tigers had only four taken in the draft a year ago with three of those juniors.
Outside linebacker Deion Jones (6-foot-1, 223) of New Orleans will likely be the first LSU player taken in the second round. He has been LSU’s star of the pre-draft period as he ran a 4.3-second 40-yard dash at LSU’s Pro Day in March and performed well at the Senior Bowl. NFL Draft expert Mike Detillier of WWL Radio in New Orleans has Jones going to the New York Giants as the ninth pick of the second round and 40th selection overall.
“He’ll be a quality weak side linebacker,” Detillier said. “He will excel in pass coverage, and his range to make plays from side to side is top of the line.”
Detillier has LSU safety Jalen Mills (6-0, 193) going four spots later in the second round to the Oakland Raiders. Mills is Detillier’s top rated free safety because of his versatility. Mills played cornerback for his first two seasons at LSU.
“He can play well in both man-to-man and zone coverage situations,” Detillier said. “He can play well at nickel, cornerback and free safety.”
The next pick is expected to be offensive guard Vadal Alexander (6-5, 326) as the 15th pick of the third round to the New Orleans Saints as the 78th overall pick. The Saints have a clear need at guard.
“Vadal is a big hombre up front, and he is a massive guy to get around,” Detillier said. “In short yardage, he is the guy I want leading the way.”
The only non-senior from LSU who entered the draft is junior offensive tackle Jerald Hawkins (6-6, 305) of West St. Mary High in Baldwin. Some have Hawkins going as early as the second round, but Detillier has him going in the late third or fourth round.
“He is a versatile tackle and very athletic,” he said. “But he gets caught up too much in football traffic. He is still a work in progress as a technician.”
LSU senior outside linebacker Lamar Louis (5-10, 222) of Breaux Bridge High will likely be drafted as a strong safety. Detillier has him going in the sixth or seventh round.
“He has excellent foot speed and initial quickness and is a strong player for his size,” he said. “He will excel on special teams.”
LSU senior defensive tackle Quentin Thomas (6-2, 310) of Breaux Bridge High could be LSU’s sixth pick in the draft as a seventh round selection. If not, he will likely sign as a free agent.
“This is a great group of young men,” LSU coach Les Miles said. “They are terrific football players, but more important is that they are quality people who will always be great ambassadors for LSU and our program.”
Former LSU cornerback Rashard Robinson has not been a great ambassador, but could get drafted. He played like a star in spots as a true freshman at LSU in 2013 out of Ely High in Pompano Beach, Florida, but he was eventually kicked out of the program for continuing disciplinary issues. He could go as high as the fourth round.
“He is a very talented cover cornerback who has the physical traits to excel in the NFL,” Detillier said. “But he needs to prove he is mature.”
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