Way-too-early look at LSU's potential 2024 NFL Draft class

This 2023 NFL Draft marked the fourth consecutive year, and sixth time in seven years, where LSU had at least six player drafted into the NFL. It wasn’t a star-studded draft, with BJ Ojulari being the only player who was take in the first three rounds, but the Tigers continue to put players in the NFL year after year.

Predicting where players will get drafted one week in advance is difficult, let alone a full year in advance. Still, it’s valuable to get an early look at what players are in position to get drafted next year and who needs a big year to get to the next level. Here’s a rundown of the potential NFL draftees from LSU next year and my prediction as to where they get drafted.

1. DT Maason Smith

Projection: Round one

If you take a peek at any “Way-too-early first round 2024” mocks, Smith is the only LSU name that comes up. I’ve maintained that the national media is overlooking how great of a player he was/is, so I have no problem saying he’s going to be a first rounder in 2024. Of course, he has plenty to prove coming off of the knee injury, but as he continues to work himself back onto the field, Smith’s ceiling is higher than anyone else on this roster. We saw Jalen Carter’s impact on a game last year and eventually he was a top 10-pick. We even saw Bryan Breese and Mazi Smith go late in the first rounds and I think Smith will have a better year than them.

2. WR Malik Nabers

Projection: Round two

Most outlets have four receivers going in the first round. I believe Malik Nabers is better than Xavier Worthy (who had a poor 2022), and if he posts another 1,000 yard season, I could see him shooting up some draft boards. Still, his game has some limitations with top-end speed and overall size. His hands are incredible, his route running helps him create space, and I think he’s incredibly tough, so we’ll see how he plays this season. He feels like a top 60 pick.

3. QB Jayden Daniels

Projection: Round two

This is the one everyone will be watching for. We know about Caleb Williams and Drake Maye going early, but after that, it feels wide open with Michael Penix, Bo Nix, JJ McCarthy, Jordan Travis, Sam Hartman, and Jayden Daniels. It’s understandable why people may be down on Daniels as a prospect right now, but if LSU can be a top five team in the country and Daniels proves he is capable of being accurate on intermediate-to-deep passes, he’s going to shoot up boards. He’s already bulked up some. If he can be more dynamic as a passer and adds more mass, he’s a truly intriguing dual-threat prospect.

4. DT Mekhi Wingo

Projection: Round three

In this year’s NFL Draft, four defensive tackles went in round one, two went in round two, then five went in round three. There were some really good players taken in round three, including Siaka Ika, Byron Young, and Zacch Pickens. Wingo is getting preseason hype after an awesome 2022 season, but with Smith back, his numbers likely won’t wow and he could get overlooked. Being a top 100 pick as a defensive tackle is incredibly impressive. We saw Jaquelin Roy fall to round five this year. We’ll see how Wingo plays this season.

5. OL Miles Frazier

Projection: Round four or five

Frazier is a really good player, but if we look at who is usually drafted in the three rounds, it’s a lot of All-Conference players. Florida’s O’Cyrus Torrence went at pick 58 this year and he was a consensus All-American and first-team All-SEC. Frazier has the potential to be viewed in a similar lens as Anthony Bradford who was taken in the fourth round this year. 

6. LB Omar Speights

Projection: Day three

I was a fan of Ventrell Miller from Florida this year and he went with pick 121 in the fourth round. Henry To’oTo’o went round five. It’s not easy to stand out as a linebacker in college football. There were virtually no inside linebackers taken in the top 70 of this year’s draft. Athleticism as a linebacker feels increasingly important. Speights has been a very good player the past few years at Oregon State, but there’s a reason he’s coming to LSU instead of in the NFL now. He still has plenty to prove.

7. OL Garrett Dellinger

Projection: Day three

I’m not even sure Dellinger would leave if he wasn’t a top four round pick, but still, he’s someone we need to see more of. He’s incredibly talented and strong, but was in and out of the lineup last year. Stay healthy and put together a good year and Dellinger certainly could be taken in a similar range as Frazier.

Sleepers

DT Jordan Jefferson

I think Jefferson will be a really solid contributor to this team in his final college season, but I’m not sure he has the upside to get drafted.

DB Major Burns

An incredibly experienced defensive back who should test pretty well and has another year to post some great tape.

DE/OLB Ovie Oghoufo

In his final season, Oghoufo could very well be LSU’s starting JACK. If he puts up a strong season, then who knows.

P Jay Bramblett

Of all the sleepers, Bramblett might have the best chance at getting picked. There were three punters drafted this year!