LSU Football: 2015 NFL Draft Tracker, Analysis and Results

The LSU Tigers boast a quartet of prospects projected to be taken early in the 2015 NFL draft, but there isn't much behind the foursome.

La'el Collins was supposed to be a surefire first-rounder before recent legal implications, while Jalen Collins could hear his name called near the end of Day 1. Danielle Hunter and Kwon Alexander will cap what might be a long wait between LSU players—that is, if anyone else even gets drafted.

This piece will highlight the Tigers' draft hopefuls. Prior to the draft, we will analyze all four athletes and their respective strengths as football players. Predictions on draft positioning will also be discussed. 

Once the draft ends, we will update the slides, detailing each player and how he fits in with his future team.

CB Jalen Collins

Drafted: Round 2, Pick 42 to Atlanta Falcons

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 198 lbs

Analysis

Under new head coach Dan Quinn, the Atlanta Falcons should slowly build a formidable defense. Jalen Collins is inconsistent and a risk-taker, but his potential is hard to ignore. Desmond Trufant, a first-round pick in 2013, has already established himself as a top corner, so Collins has a young, proven model to emulate.

Replacement

True freshman Kevin Toliver will compete with Edward Paris to start opposite Tre'Davious White. Toliver is a highly touted recruit who is expected to make an immediate impact in the LSU secondary.

Edge Danielle Hunter

Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Drafted: Round 3, Pick 88 to Minnesota Vikings

Height: 6'6"

Weight: 240 lbs

Analysis

Danielle Hunter has untapped potential, and loads of it. If there's any team that can develop him, it's the Minnesota Vikings under defensive mastermind Mike Zimmer.

Hunter is explosive at the line of scrimmage, and his 4.57-second 40-yard dash at the combine paced all defensive ends. The trick is for Hunter to translate his athleticism into production, something that constantly evaded him at LSU.

Replacement

Maquedius Bain earned a starting position following a fantastic performance during the spring. Bain racked up three sacks in the spring game.

LB Kwon Alexander

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Drafted: Round 4, Pick 124 to Tampa Bay Buccanneers

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 227 lbs

Analysis

Kwon Alexander has the speed and coverage abilities to play outside linebacker Lovie Smith's 4-3 defensive scheme. Alexander needs to learn how to win battles with technique rather than athleticism, so he should open his NFL career as a reserve. Once developed, though, Alexander can be a heady sideline-to-sideline contributor.

Replacement

Deion Jones, who logged 27 tackles as a junior in 2014, will fill the void Alexander leaves alongside Kendell Beckwith. Clifton Garrett should serve as Jones' primary backup.

Note: Draft projections via Matt Miller's mock draft. Heights and weights via LSU's official athletics site.

RB Kenny Hilliard

Jonathan Bachman/Associated Press

Drafted: Round 7, Pick 235 to Houston Texans

Height: 6'0"

Weight: 232 lbs

Analysis

Competition is never a bad thing. Arian Foster has the No. 1 job locked down in Houston, but Kenny Hilliard can chase former LSU teammate Alfred Blue for the second-string role.

Replacement

Leonard Fournette is the obvious starter for the Tigers, considering he's a preseason Heisman Trophy candidate. Darrel Williams will technically take over for Hilliard and Terrence McGee.

OT La'el Collins

Draft Projection: Round 1, Pick 28 to Denver Broncos

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 321 lbs

Analysis

Barring a completely unforeseen development, La'el Collins will be a first-round pick. He played left tackle at LSU in 2013 and 2014, but many NFL teams see Collins as a right tackle or guard, the latter of which is where he lined up for the Tigers in 2012.

No matter where he plays, Collins is a tremendous run-blocker and superb in pass protection. He visited the Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions, respectively reported by the Orlando Sun Sentinel's Omar Kelly and MLive's Justin Rogers, among others.

Replacement

Jerald Hawkins will slide into Collins' vacated spot and occupy one of the most important roles on the team: opening running lanes for Leonard Fournette.