Updated 2024 NFL Draft projections for LSU's top five prospects

With just nine days before the start of the 2024 NFL Draft, experts far and wide have begun solidifying their big boards and their mock drafts with workouts and interviews in the rearview. Coming off of a year with the top offense in the country, it’s no surprise LSU has a trio of stars who should hear their names called in the first round, and now with the days winding down, we’re gaining a clearer picture as to where the Tigers could land.

Here’s a rundown of the top five players in the NFL Draft from LSU, where they could go, where they’re ranked, and my thoughts.

Here are links to every mock draft referenced: ESPN, CBS, NFL.com, The Athletic.

QB Jayden Daniels

CBS: No. 5 to Vikings

NFL.com: No. 2 to Commanders

ESPN: No. 2 to Commanders

Athletic: No. 2 to Commanders

Athletic’s rankings: No. 8

Obviously, the headline of this draft is Jayden Daniels vs. Drake Maye in the battle for QB2, but as more time passes, it seems the consensus is beginning to settle on Daniels as the favorite. CBS’ Will Brinson still has Daniels going at No. 5, but most of the national analysts have Daniels at No. 2 for the Commanders.

For LSU fans, a pairing of Daniels and Jefferson in Minnesota would be incredibly fun, while the Commanders have a shaky offensive line and are still building the core of skill position players to build around their quarterback of the future. Either way, Daniels has proven he has a great command of the ball and fantastic speed to help him settle in.

WR Malik Nabers

CBS: No. 6 to Giants

NFL.com: No. 9 to Colts

ESPN: No. 6 to Giants

Athletic: No. 9 to Chicago Bears

Athletic’s rankings: No. 3

Nabers is another hotly discussed name in the draft as some are trying to make the case for him as WR1 ahead of Marvin Harrison Jr. Regardless, it seems Nabers is a lock for the top ten and could be gone at No. 6 to the Giants who desperately need a playmaker on the perimeter.

A large point of Nabers’ value is his versatility. He showed the ability to be dangerous both in the slot and on the perimeter. NFL.com predicts the Colts trading up to take Nabers at No. 9. I think  it’s safe to say if Nabers fall to the 9th pick, there will be a heavy supply of suitors looking to trade up for him.

WR Brian Thomas

CBS: No. 17 to Jaguars

NFL.com: No. 20 to Steelers

ESPN: No. 17 to Jaguars

Athletic: No. 11 to Cardinals

Athletic’s rankings: No. 15

A freak athlete who killed it in his testing and led the country in receiving touchdowns in 2023, Thomas is a player who is now a lock for the first round, but there’s no certainty as to what range. After reading some of these mocks, there’s a wide variety of receivers and playmakers that could be taken in the second half of the first round. Still, the explosiveness and size have impressed scouts the past couple of years and now Thomas has the production to match it.

I’d be interested in him going to the Jaguars as a Calvin Ridley replacement and think he could help unlock Trevor Lawrence, while im sure the Steelers and other teams in the 20s would love for him to fall into their lap.

DT Maason Smith

ESPN: No. 42 to Texans

Athletic’s Big Board: No. 64

ESPN’s Field Yates rankings: No. 48

ESPN’s Matt Miller rankings:  No. 47

Smith is a player who has shown enough in the pre-draft process to overcome the shortcomings on the field this past year at LSU. Coming off of an ACL injury, Smith was always going to take time to get revved up and now that he’s had a few months since the end of the season to work himself into shape, he’s been a standout in workouts.

It feels like the consensus is that Smith is going to be a top 50 pick, which is really something considering the road he took to get here included several bumps and obstacles along the way. ESON had him going to the Texans seeing as they are in need of interior defensive line help. The overwhelming sense I got while reading about Smith was that there’s a collective trust that his best days are ahead and his physical skillset can’t be taught. There’s a reason he was a five-star prospect out of high school and its worth gambling on that in the second round.

DT Mekhi Wingo

Athletic’s Big Board: No. 95

ESPN Matt Miller rankings: No. 94

Wingo looks like a late third round pick, which would be excellent for him. He doesn’t test great and doesn’t shine physically like Smith, but what he does have is three years of balling out in the SEC. Wingo’s incredibly strong base and technique have given him a leg up on offensive linemen in the toughest conference in America, now it’s about getting that type of explosion in the NFL. It will be interesting to see which team trusts Wingo’s polished ability and production.