LSU Football: Predictions for the Tigers Taken in NFL Draft

LSU had a school record six players drafted in the 2011 NFL draft with an astonishing four players drafted in the third round alone.

Everyone knew going into the draft that Patrick Peterson would be a first round pick going anywhere from No. 1 to No. 10 overall, but several players that were projected to be late round picks, or even free agents, were picked much earlier than expected.

Peterson went No. 5 overall to the Arizona Cardinals, where he is almost certain to make an immediate impact on special teams and as a shut down cornerback.

I think the surprise came in the third round when both Stevan Ridley and Kelvin Sheppard were selected.

Both Ridley and Sheppard were projected to be drafted much later or possibly not drafted at all.

In the end, six Tigers proved worthy of draft picks and several will go on to have long and productive NFL careers.

Here are a few predictions of what you may see from these Tigers.

Patrick Peterson

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

TEMPE, AZ - APRIL 29: (L-R) Head coach Ken Whisenhunt, first round draft pick Patrick Peterson and general manager Rod Graves of the Arizona Cardinals pose together during a press conference to introduce Peterson at the team's training center auditorium

Peterson will come into the NFL as one of the top athletes in recent history. 

However, his athleticism is accompanied by an extremely high amount of talent and football savvy.

Peterson is a natural football player with great instincts and skill.

His natural ability to make plays will make him an instant impact on the Arizona special teams.

He is also likely to be an instant starter at cornerback and could prove to be one of the best ever.

Already drawing comparisons to Deion Sanders, Peterson will need to come in and prove that he is worthy of all the hype.

My prediction for Peterson is that he is a Pro Bowl cornerback/punt returner by his sophomore year in the NFL.

Kelvin Sheppard

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 4: Kelvin Sheppard #11 of the LSU Tigers tackles Johnny White #34 of the North Carolina Tar Heels at the Georgia Dome September 4, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Sheppard was taken with the fourth pick in the third round by the Buffalo Bills.

The Bills are very deep at linebacker including Shawne Merriman, so Sheppard will have to do a lot in training camp (assuming that we have training camps) to work his way into the rotation.

It is more likely that Sheppard will be used on special teams early in his career, which will give him a chance to show off his tremendous speed and athleticism.

My prediction for Sheppard is that he will eventually work his way into the starting lineup as a linebacker, but it will take several years or a move to another team in serious need of linebacking help.

Stevan Ridley

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 07: Stevan Ridley #34 of the Louisiana State University Tigers runs in for a touchdown during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies during the AT&T Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium on January 7, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by

Ridley was selected with the ninth pick in the third round by the New England Patriots.

The Patriots selected him as the first of two consecutive picks and used the second on Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett.

Ridley will have a tremendous opportunity to break into the starting lineup as a running back for the Patriots, as their depth chart is littered with aging veterans including Fred Taylor, Sammy Morris and fellow LSU Tiger Kevin Faulk.

Ridley will go into training camp behind these guys but could find himself as high as No. 2 on the depth chart behind BenJarvus Green-Ellis going into the start of the season.

My prediction for Ridley is that he will make a name for himself quickly and become the third down/change of pace back behind Green-Ellis, taking the role from Faulk.

Drake Nevis

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 28: Quarterback Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansa Razorbacks is sacked by Drake Nevis #92 of the Louisiana State University Tigers at Tiger Stadium on November 28, 2009 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty I

Drake Nevis will bring a grit and attitude to a Colt defense that severely lacks a leader.

The Colts selected Nevis in the third round and hope that he can add power and pass rush to their aging defensive line.

Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are solid bookends for the defense, but the Colts lack a presence in the middle, one that they hope Nevis will bring immediately.

Nevis will bring a disruptive presence to the defense that will allow Freeney, Mathis and 2010 rookie Jerry Hughes to cause havoc on the outside.

My prediction is that Nevis will be an instant starter for the Colts and a Pro Bowl player by his third year.

Joseph Barksdale

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

GAINESVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 11: Offensive lineman Joseph Barksdale #78 of the LSU Tigers sets to block against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on October 11, 2008 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Barksdale was one of the Tiger players that I actually believed would be drafted in the third or fourth round of the 2011 NFL draft, yet he was the last of four LSU players selected in the third round.

Barksdale was drafted with the 29th pick in the third round by the Oakland Raiders.

With the leader of the Raiders offensive line, Robert Gallery leaving, possibly to Seattle, Barksdale will go into training camp as a possible starter.

Barksdale has NFL caliber skills and could end up being one of Oakland’s top offensive linemen.

My prediction is that Barksdale will start in 2011 and have a long, successful career in the NFL.