Only four players from LSU were drafted in 2015, the fewest in 10 years.

That was definitely a down year for a program that leads the nation with 22 top-100 draft picks over the past five years. But the 2016 draft doesn’t look to be much better. It’s 2017 that appears to be a show-stopper. Seven LSU players are projected first-round picks, according to WalterFootball.com.

But for now let’s stay focused on the upcoming NFL draft, which starts Thursday night, and which LSU players hope to hear their names called.

WILL THERE BE ANY FIRST-ROUNDERS?

It is very likely that for the second consecutive season, no LSU player will be selected in the first round.

That would be a first in 11 years of the Les Miles era, although it is believed that La’el Collins would have  been a first-rounder last year had his name not been connected with a double-homicide investigation. Even though he was never charged and eventually completely cleared, he still went undrafted and signed as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys.

Secondary standout Jalen Mills and guard Vadal Alexander appear to have the best chance. They’ve climbed to Nos. 51 and 53 respectively on the cbssports.com big board. Still, that likely won’t get them first-round status.

WHO WILL BE THE FIRST LSU PLAYER SELECTED?

As mentioned, Mills and Alexander appear to be the leading candidates to be the first LSU player selected in the 2016 NFL Draft. Both have seen their stock rise in recent weeks.

But they have company. Outside linebacker Deion Jones and tackle Jerald Hawkins could rise to the top of the LSU draft class. Jones is projected to go as high as the second round after a sensational senior season in which he led the Tigers with 100 tackles. Hawkins is viewed as having tremendous upside.

It will be interesting to see which NFL team has the bigger need for one of the group of four. That could become the deciding factor in who goes first.

WHICH PLAYER BECOMES THE BEST PRO?

Another intriguing question because it widens the circle of prospects. You’d have to include punter Jamie Keehn into the conversation, and perhaps even outside Lamar Louis, neither projected to be among those drafted, but nevertheless still quality free agents.

Gaining the reputation as DBU, the program has put its share of offensive linemen in the league as well. It could be one or the other, called first in the draft. Unless linebacker Jones spoils the party, defensive backs Mills and Rashard Robinson will go up against Hawkins and Alexander, representing the O-line, in the race for top billing in this year’s draft.

It’s really too close to call and depending on who you ask, any one of the top four (Jones, Mills, Alexander and Hawkins) could be the first LSU player selected.

DRAFT PROJECTIONS

  1. Deion Jones OLB (second round)
  2. Jalen Mills CB (third round)
  3. Vadal Alexander OG (third round)
  4. Jerald Hawkins OT (third round)
  5. Rashard Robinson CB (fourth round)
  6. Lamar Louis OLB (free agent)
  7. Jamie Keehn P (free agent)
  8. Reid Ferguson LS (free agent)
  9. Quentin Thomas DT (free agent)
  10. Dillon Gordon TE (free agent)

RECENT HISTORY

  • 2015: No first-round, four picks
  • 2014: One first-round (Odell Beckham, Jr.), nine picks
  • 2013: Two first-round (Barkevious Mingo, Eric Reid), nine picks
  • 2012: Two first-round (Morris Claiborne, Michael Brockers), five picks
  • 2011: One first-round (Patrick Peterson), six picks