We’re quickly approaching draft season, and it seems that projections for LSU’s top three stars are starting to stabilize.
ESPN’s Matt Miller recently released a two-round mock draft, and it featured familiar projections for Tigers stars [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag], [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] and [autotag]Brian Thomas Jr.[/autotag]
Daniels has now solidly established himself as QB3 in the draft behind Caleb Williams and Drake Maye. Barring some very possible trade chaos, he is expected to go to the New England Patriots with the third pick, and that’s exactly what Miller projects.
Here’s his breakdown of Nabers and what the new leadership in New England would get from the Heisman winner.
It’s a new regime in New England, and much like Quinn in Washington, coach Jerod Mayo will have the opportunity to bring in a franchise quarterback to build around. Neither Mac Jones nor Bailey Zappe is the answer. As a former NFL linebacker and defensive coordinator, Mayo knows all too well what a dual-threat QB like Daniels brings to the field.
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Daniels has elite open-field speed and vision as a runner, and he’s the best deep-ball passer in the draft class. He threw 40 touchdown passes in 2023, and an FBS-leading 22 of them were on throws of more than 20 air yards. Daniels was the most improved player in college football after dedicating himself to playing better within the pocket, and his draft stock has soared from Day 3 to here.
Nabers, meanwhile, only has to wait a few picks in this mock. While some view him as the third-best receiver in the class, Miller has him ahead of Rome Odunze and heading to the Chargers at pick No. 5, where he’ll help rising star Justin Herbert and new coach Jim Harbaugh.
The explosive Nabers shouldn’t be considered a mere consolation prize for whatever team misses out on Harrison. In fact, three NFL scouts I spoke to at the Senior Bowl told me they actually have Nabers ranked ahead of Harrison on their initial draft boards. Nabers’ speed, ability to make defenders miss and consistent hands throughout contact and traffic are why some teams are falling in love with his game. He would be a great fit with Justin Herbert — especially with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams exiting their peak years and struggling to stay healthy. Nabers is coming off an 89-catch, 1,569-yard, 14-TD season.
While Thomas isn’t seen as a top-10 pick like Daniels and Nabers, his stock has also risen tremendously after leading the nation in receiving touchdowns this season. Some mocks have him as high as the top 15, but Miller has an interesting projection.
He has Thomas joining [autotag]Joe Burrow[/autotag] and [autotag]Ja’Marr Chase[/autotag] in Cincinnati. The Bengals could be set to lose Tee Higgins to free agency, and Thomas would make a strong replacement.
The Bengals enter an offseason in which both Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd are free agents at wide receiver. If Higgins should price himself out of Cincinnati’s budget, Thomas is an ideal replacement. He snagged 17 touchdowns in 2023, leading the nation in the category, while showing excellent length and great ball tracking skills. Thomas is raw as a route runner, but operating opposite former LSU star Ja’Marr Chase would help him acclimate to the pro game.
We’ll have to wait and see just how the dominoes fall, but regardless, it should be a very eventful first night of the draft for LSU fans.
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