LSU Football: Justin Jefferson draft stock rises in post-combine mock draft

LSU football’s Justin Jefferson helped improve his draft stock with a strong performance at the NFL Draft combine.

LSU football’s Justin Jefferson likely won’t be the first wide receiver selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, but he won’t be far behind whichever wideout is selected first.

Prior to the combine, Jefferson was listed in numerous mock drafts as an early second round selection. This never made much sense to me, considering he was a highly productive wide receiver in the SEC, with good hands and solid blocking skills.

The one question that draft pundits had about Jefferson was his speed.

Jefferson answered that question by running a 4.43 in the 40 yard dash.

Elite speed.

As a result of his strong combine performance, Jefferson’s draft stock is on the rise.

In the latest mock draft from NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah, Jefferson is the No. 21 selection (Philadelphia Eagles).

I’m not surprised to see this. Jefferson might be the most complete wide receiver in the draft. He doesn’t have any obvious weaknesses. Somehow, he’s underrated.

While it’s good for Jefferson that his draft stock is rising, it’s bad for LSU fans that double as fans of the New Orleans Saints. Jefferson grew up close to New Orleans. It would be a tremendous story if he was drafted by Saints.

It’s certainly still possible that Jefferson could fall to the Saints at No. 24 overall. But it’s also possible he goes higher than the No. 21 pick.

Jefferson made himself some money at the combine. I typically think 40 times are somewhat unimportant, but in this instance I’m glad it was used to prove that Jefferson is an elite wide receiver that’s on his way to having a solid NFL career.