lsu_lafell_runsLouisiana colleges will product many draft selections in the 2010 draft, but there may be none in round 1.

Two LSU prospects seem to be sliding: Wide receiver Brandon LaFell (6-3, 210) was thought to be a top round selection a few months ago but may end up now in round two or three. He didn’t show up for the Senior Bowl and didn’t run well for the scouts (in the 4.6 range). Plus, in his workouts, LaFell dropped a lot of balls, which was also a problem for him in his senior season.

Offensive tackle Ciron Black (6-5,  325) is another LSU prospect on the slide. I watched him in the one-on-one drills at the Senior Bowl practices where he had a lot of trouble going against speed rushers lining up at left tackle. He will probably have to move inside to offensive guard in the pro game which will lower his draft position. He now looks to be a third round selection at best.

The best LSU prospect is safety Chad Jones (6-3, 214). He should come off the board in round 2. A junior in this draft, Chad is big, smooth and fluid; he has the physical tools to excel at free or strong safety. He has yet to show he has a real passion for football however. Jones must fully devote himself to football over baseball. He was drafted by MLB out of high school and was a good player on the LSU national championship baseball team.

Perry Riley is an outside linebacker (6-1, 240) projected as a mid-round pick. He is physical, hits with force and has been competitive against top SEC competition. Riley is aggressive with good football intelligence and should make a solid strong side linebacker in the pro game. But he is not effective against the pass in coverage, so he is not an every-down linebacker.

Running back Charles Scott (5-11, 232) had been a solid back for the Tigers until his senior season during which he had injury problems and wasn’t used as much. He shows good leg drive, will break tackles and is tough and physical. Scott is a good blocker as well. He is not overly athletic however and needs to improve as a pass receiver. The 3^rd or 4^th round looks to be Scott’s draft value.

Al WoodsDefensive tackle Al Woods (6-3 ½, 315) is a Tiger with good talent and potential who has not really played up to his talent level. He is a one-year starter with an NFL body plus very long arms and huge hands. He can hold his ground against the double-team blocks and is a secure tackler. Woods has a lot of upside and would be a good value in the middle rounds of this draft.

Safety/linebacker Harry Coleman lacks size for the linebacker position (6-2, 207). He lined up at safety at the Senior Bowl practices and had an okay week. A versatile prospect, Harry should make a fine special teams player at the next level. A muscular prospect with long arms, Coleman is an explosive hitter who plays bigger than his size. He should come off the board in round 4.

Other Tigers with a chance to get drafted include defensive end Rahim Alem (6-3, 254) who a good pass rusher but not a god run defender. Defensive lineman Charles Alexander has some talent but can’t stay healthy. Inside linebacker Jacob Cutrera is physical and understands the game. Tight end Richard Dickson is undersized (6-3, 246) and may move to fullback. Cornerback Chris Hawkins has a chance; he ran very well at the scouting combine, in the 4.4 range. Tiny running back Trindon Holliday (5-5, 166) has a chance to make it as a return man. He has great speed, in the 4.3 range. And running back Keiland Williams has talent but has had injury problems.

Louisiana Tech has a good prospect in defensive tackle D’Anthony Smith (6-2, 300). He is a versatile athlete you can project to all the defensive line positions. A four year starter who has been durable, Smith is a solid run defender with good upside potential but his motor does not always run full blast. The fourth round looks like his value.

Hall DavisLouisiana Lafayette defensive end Hall Davis (6-4, 272) is athletic with long arms; he was a former basketball player and it shows since he is very fluid in his movements. Davis is versatile and has lined up at end and tackle in college. But he is still raw and learning the game, making him a mid round talent.

Tulane wide receiver Jeremy Williams (6-1, 200) had a very good Senior Bowl game and was selected the game’s offensive MVP thanks to a touchdown catch  and a good run on a reverse. He is a nice size plus is a smooth and fluid receiver who will get open. Williams displays fine hands and ball skills. He has had injury problems and needs to prove he can stay healthy. Williams could hear his named called at the bottom of round 3 or top of round 4.

A Tulane running back, Andre Anderson (6-0, 212) has some ability; he is strong and well built. Anderson runs well between the tackles and will fight for extra yards. Plus, he is smart with good character. Andre catches the ball well, runs with balance and displays good vision. Like his teammate Williams, Anderson has had injury problems in college which may drop his draft value to the late rounds.

Al’s Draft Day Report Final Issue is out and includes a 4-round Mock Draft.

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