Looking ahead to the 2010 NFL Draft

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By Blake Oestriecher

Move over, Miami. LSU is the new king of the first round.
For 14 straight NFL drafts, "The U" had a player selected in the first round, but that streak ended last year when no Hurricane cracked the top 32. LSU, on the other hand, has started a streak of its own.

An LSU player has been selected in the first round every year since 2004, the most recent being Tyson Jackson, who was chosen with the third pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009. Look for that trend to continue in this year's draft, but keep your television tuned in as several more Tigers will likely go in the later rounds.

Ciron Black (OL) 6'5 - 325 lbs., late first - early second round
Black has started 53 straight games for the Tigers, so durability doesn't seem to be an issue. However, what is going to prohibit Black from cracking the upper portion of the first round is his lack of foot quickness and athleticism. At his size, he is an excellent run blocker, but he struggles with more athletic defensive ends in pass protection. One thing NFL scouts need to see out of a left tackle is his ability to protect the quarterback's blindside. Black won't be able to simply rely on his strength in the NFL to do that, so a move to right tackle would certainly be a benefit. Right tackles aren't as highly valued by NFL teams, however, which is why Black slides to a late first or early second round pick.

Brandon LaFell (WR) 6'3- 207 lbs., mid - late 1st round
Depending on who declares for the draft, LaFell will likely be the third or fourth-ranked receiver behind three juniors: Oklahoma State's Dez Bryant, Illinois' Arrelious Benn and Notre Dame's Golden Tate. Still, it would be surprising to see LaFell fall out of the first round especially after six wide receivers were selected in the first round in 2009. LaFell's numbers at LSU are comparable to those of former LSU receivers Dwayne Bowe and Craig Davis who were chosen with the 23rd and 30th overall picks in the 2007 NFL Draft. The obvious flaw in LaFell's game is his hands, but he has improved in that area. If LaFell can prove that he doesn't have a permanent case of the dropsies, he should be gone before round two.

Keiland Williams (RB) 6'1- 221 lbs., Charles Scott (RB) 6'1 - 234 lbs., 4th - 5th round
A year ago, Charles Scott likely would have been a second-round pick, but a below-average senior year and season-ending injury drop him to the fourth or fifth round. Scott is a powerful, downhill runner, but he lacks the speed and agility to change directions and elude defenders. He won't be an every down back in the NFL, but could be used as the thunder to another runner's lightning. Despite living in Scott's shadow the past couple of years, William's game actually translates better to the NFL. He also has good size and power, but is a much quicker, agile back who tends to do a better job of making people miss. Williams isn't as good of an inside runner as Scott, but he is a much better blocker. Williams and Scott shared the same backfield at LSU, and they may be drafted in the same round on day two.

Richard Dickson (TE) 6'2 - 240 lbs., 5th - 6th round
Dickson holds the LSU record for career receiving yards for a tight end, but 900 yards isn't exactly a stellar career, and a 150-yard senior year certainly isn't helping things. He's no Jermaine Gresham and he lacks the athleticism of someone like Florida's Aaron Hernandez, but Dickson has been a reliable target throughout his LSU career. He's proven that he can catch passes and block, something that is often taken for granted among tight ends. Dickson is also a bit smaller than the typical NFL tight end, but has ideal size for a team who wants to use him as an H-back. Dickson will likely be the 10th tight end or so taken, which should be around round five or six.

Other possible draftees: Charles Alexander, Harry Coleman, Perry Riley

Originally Published: Issue 826 - December 8, 2009

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