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NFLSU: The 10 Best Non-First-Round Picks from LSU since 2000

By Nicholas Rome

Jan 9, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; LSU Tigers cornerback Tyrann Mathieu (7) tackles Alabama Crimson Tide running back Eddie Lacy (42) during the first half of the 2012 BCS National Championship game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; LSU Tigers cornerback Tyrann Mathieu (7) tackles Alabama Crimson Tide running back Eddie Lacy (42) during the first half of the 2012 BCS National Championship game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports / John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
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5. Trai Turner - Guard

Despite an incredibly impressive College Career, Trai Turner waited to hear his name called until the third round when the Panthers finally made a great choice. After a solid rookie showing, Turner quickly became one of if not the best guard in the NFL making the Pro-Bowl every season from 2015-2019. Once, Turner was traded from the Carolina Panthers his career started to slow down but, for five seasons you can argue he was the best guard in the NFL.

4. Danielle Hunter - Edge Rusher

While at LSU, Danielle Hunter's sack totals never jump off the charts as he recorded 4.5 sacks over 38 games in Baton Rouge. The Vikings took a chance on his potential in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft and it paid off massively. While in Minnesota, Hunter became one of the league's top defenders recording 87.5 sacks over eight seasons while missing the 2020 season when he was entering his prime. As a result of his production, Hunter was named to four pro-bowls and was named to the Second-Team All-Pro in 2015.

The former LSU Tiger signed a massive two year $49 million dollar deal this off-season heading to Houston. The Texans will have one of the best defenses in the league with LSU Alums Hunter, Derek Stingley Jr, Ali Gaye, and Jacob Phillips.

3. Tyrann Mathieu - Safety

The Arizona Cardinals got incredibly lucky that Tyrann Mathieu got kicked off the LSU Football team because it allowed them to land a top-ten talent with the 69th overall pick in the draft. The Cardinals saw exactly the player they were hoping Mathieu would become in his third season as Mathieu earned first-team All-Pro honors quickly cementing himself as one of the best players in the league.

Mathieu would spend five seasons in Arizona before making a one year pit stop in Houston before picking up the massive contract he deserved with the Chiefs. While with the Chiefs, Mathieu picked up more hardware earning two first-team All-Pro awards, was named to two pro-bowls, and helped the Chiefs win Super Bowl LIV.

Now, Mathieu is signed for another two seasons with the Saints as one of the most beloved players in New Orleans. Through eleven seasons in the NFL, Mathieu has recorded 638 solo tackles, 11 sacks, 33 interceptions, 5 forced fumbles, and 4 touchdowns. When it's all said and done with Mathieu he may go down as LSU's best non-first-round pick ever.

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