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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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2. Kyle Williams - Defensive Tackle

Of the nine defensive tackles taken ahead of Kyle Williams, you can only argue that Haloti Ngata had a career that is comparable or better than Kyle Williams' 13-year career. The Buffalo Bills even made the wrong selection taking defensive tackle John McCargo who spent just six seasons in the NFL in the first round ahead of Williams. During his time in the NFL, Williams was consistently one of the top defensive tackles in the league racking up six pro-bowl selections and a second-team All-Pro selection.

Throughout his career, Williams was a stalwart of the Buffalo Bills defensive line anchoring what was consistently one of the best defensive front. Despite switching between nose tackle and defensive tackle in his career, Williams recorded 609 tackles, 48.5 sacks, an interception, and four forced fumbles. When selecting a player in the fifth round you hope they'll become a rotational piece but, Kyle Williams became an icon in Buffalo.

1. Andrew Whitworth - Offensive Tackle

Aside from the New York Jets who selected D'Brickashaw Ferguson, there are certainly three teams that took the wrong offensive tackle while you can argue that nearly every player picked ahead of Whitworth wasn't as dominant as he was. Early on in his career, the Bengals played Whitworth at Guard before finally moving him to left tackle in 2009. Whitworth would be one of the best offensive tackles in the league for the Bengals from 2009 to 2016.

In 2017, Whitworth signed with the Rams where he'd have some of the peaks of his career. Whitworth was dominant allowing Jared Goff time in Sean McVay's explosive offense. At 40 years old, Whitworth became the oldest offensive lineman to start in and win a Super Bowl as he helped the Rams defeat Joe Burrow and the Bengals. Whitworth's resume is Hall of Fame worthy as a Four Time Pro-Bowler, a two-time First-Team All-Pro, a Second-Team All-Pro in 2014, a Super Bowl Champion, and the Walter Payton Man of The Year winner in 2021.

Note: All Stats via Pro Football reference

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