LSU had three players selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, the program’s most since 2020.
While the Tigers lost a lot of talent from last year’s team, even in addition to first-rounders [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag], [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag], there are quite a few potential top draft prospects on this year’s roster, as well. Only time will tell if LSU can match its 2024 first-round total in 2025, but according to the latest ESPN mock draft from Matt Miller, it has a chance.
Miller has three Tigers players going in the first round. Here’s where each of them lands and his breakdown of each.
OT Will Campbell (No. 6, New England Patriots)
The Patriots ranked last in the NFL in pass block win rate last season (43.4%), and even after signing Chukwuma Okorafor and bringing back Mike Onwenu this offseason, addressing the offensive line next offseason is a must. Campbell is part of college football’s best tackle duo alongside LSU teammate Emery Jones Jr. He’s a two-year starter who didn’t allow a single sack and only 15 total pressures last season. He could be long-term protection for Drake Maye in this offense.
Miller has the Patriots trading back from the first overall spot to take some protection for quarterback Drake Maye. [autotag]Will Campbell[/autotag] is the second tackle off the board in this mock, but he could easily be viewed as OT1 by draft time.
LB Harold Perkins (No. 12, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Perkins was misused at linebacker last season, but he will move back to edge rusher in new defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s scheme this year. And we could see him use his great speed to eclipse his 13 career sacks this season alone. That might entice the Buccaneers, who are looking for a defensive end to break out and emerge as a true threat to opposing offenses. Veteran Shaquil Barrett is gone in free agency, and Tampa Bay’s 27.3% pressure rate ranked 24th in the league last season, so adding to this group could be a frontline need come next offseason.
The Bucs have already drafted one former LSU linebacker in recent years in [autotag]Devin White[/autotag], and they could look to add another in [autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag], who had a bit of a disappointing sophomore season but could bounce back in a big way this fall.
OT Emery Jones (No. 15, Jacksonville Jaguars)
The biggest weakness on the Jacksonville roster is at offensive tackle; Anton Harrison struggled on the right side as a rookie, and Cam Robinson was among the worst run-blocking left tackles in the league last season. But Jones — who starts at right tackle for the Tigers — has easy movement skills despite a 6-foot-6 and 315-pound frame, and I see the agility and balance to play left or right tackle in the pros. He has to clean up some timing issues, but his jump from freshman starter to sophomore standout (seven sacks allowed in Year 1 compared to four in Year 2) showed his potential.
The Jaguars were all about LSU players in 2024, selecting three including Thomas in the first round. They could go back to that well to land more protection for Trevor Lawrence in [autotag]Emery Jones[/autotag], who is being a bit overshadowed by Campbell but is one of the nation’s best tackles in his own right.
Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.
Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno