Where They Landed: LSU's 2024 NFL Draft Recap

The LSU football team had three players selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, including a pair of Top 10 picks in quarterback Jayden Daniels and wide receiver Malik Nabers.

Brian Thomas Jr. also heard his name called on Day 1, and Maason Smith – a Top 50 overall pick – didn’t have to wait long for his phone to ring when he came off the board early in the second round.

LSU’s two other defensive tackles, Jordan Jefferson and Mekhi Wingo, wrapped up the six-man group of drafted players out of Baton Rouge.

With a handful of former Tigers also signing with teams as undrafted free agents, here’s the rundown on where LSU’s latest draft crop landed in the NFL.

Three LSU players picked in Round 1

Round 1, Pick 2: QB Jayden Daniels – Washington Commanders

The Commanders were the expected landing spot for Daniels, who went No. 2 overall following the Chicago Bears selecting USC quarterback Caleb Williams. With Washington trading starting quarterback Sam Howell and signing veteran Marcus Mariota, first-year offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury will get a feel for Daniels this offseason. Then, all eyes will be on how quickly Daniels can get the starting nod for a Washington franchise that cleaned house following a 4-13 finish to the 2023 season.

Round 1, Pick 6: WR Malik Nabers – New York Giants

Nabers was projected by most draft analysts to land at No. 6, and that’s exactly how it unfolded as the NCAA’s leader in receiving yards in 2023 was scooped up by the Giants. The Giants haven’t had a 1,000-yard receiver since LSU’s Odell Beckham Jr. in 2018, and the path is there for Nabers to be the next name on the list. Wide receiver was a major need for a New York franchise that brings back players like Darius Slayton, Wan’dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt.

Round 1, Pick 23: WR Brian Thomas Jr. – Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars kicked off the run of LSU picks by grabbing Thomas in the first round with the No. 23 overall pick. Now, Thomas will link up with quarterback Trevor Lawrence and an offense that no longer has the top target from 2023 in Calvin Ridley and only returns one receiver who eclipsed 350 receiving yards a year ago in veteran Christian Kirk. Jacksonville spent the first-round pick on Thomas with hopes the LSU star – who led the NCAA in touchdown catches this past season – can step in and start immediately.

A run on three defensive tackles in a row

Round 2, Pick 16: DT Maason Smith – Jacksonville Jaguars

Many draft analysts questioned Smith’s decision to leave LSU given he missed all but one series of the 2022 season with a knee injury and didn’t have the consistency week-to-week in 2023 expected from a top draft pick. No matter, Smith’s decision paid off when his name was called as a Top 50 overall pick. Now, Smith heads to the Jaguars as a presumed second-team player behind starters Arik Armstead and Roy Robertson-Harris.

Round 4, Pick 16: DT Jordan Jefferson – Jacksonville Jaguars

Make that three in a row as the Baton Rouge to Jacksonville run hit the trifecta. With the team’s fourth round pick, the Jaguars grabbed another defensive tackle out of LSU in Jefferson. The West Virginia transfer spent one season at LSU, but he made his presence felt as both a backup and starter. Jefferson is expected to slide into competition for the backup spot to starter DaVon Hamilton.. Of note, the Jaguars are the first team in the common draft era (since 1967) to select three LSU players in the same draft.

Round 6, Pick 13: DT Mekhi Wingo – Detroit Lions

Could this be one of the steals of the late rounds? Wingo has an impressive resume, whether it’s being named a Freshman All-SEC selection out of Missouri or then leading the entire SEC in PFF run grade across the next two seasons at LSU. Wingo was also one of LSU’s leaders on and off the field, being named a team captain and awarded the No. 18 jersey. The Lions snatched Wingo late in the draft, and there’s little doubt a head coach like Dan Campbell won’t love what Wingo brings to the locker room and practice field. For a sixth-round pick, Wingo should have a good chance to make the 53-man roster ahead of the 2024 season.

LSU’s Undrafted Free Agent Tracker

With six LSU players selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Tigers had five more players sign with teams as undrafted free agents. Now, invitations to rookie mini-camps are in and the path to make a roster or practice squad begins for LSU’s draft entrants.

OL Charles Turner – New England Patriots

RB Noah Cain – Cincinnati Bengals

OLB Ovie Oghoufo – New York Giants

LB Omar Speights – Los Angeles Rams

DB Andre Sam – Philadelphia Eagles