Former LSU receiver Early Doucet became the third LSU player taken in the third round and the fourth LSU player taken overall in the 2008 NFL Draft when the Arizona Cardinals chose him at No. 81 (the No. 18 pick in the third round).
The Kansas City Chiefs picked defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey at No. 5 overall yesterday, and cornerback Chevis Jackson and running back Jacob Hester each found out their new team earlier in the third round.
On back-to-back picks, the Atlanta Falcons chose Jackson at No. 68, and the San Diego Chargers grabbed Hester at No. 69.
Dorsey joins former LSU wide receiver Dwayne Bowe in Kansas City, and Hester joins former LSU receiver Craig Davis in San Diego. Both Bowe and Davis were selected in the first-round of this past year’s draft.
Kansas City and San Diego will play each other twice a year in the AFC West as well as former LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell’s Oakland Raiders.
Saints fans will get a chance to see Jackson twice a season as the Saints and Falcons play each other the NFC South.
Doucet will join wide receiver Anquan Boldin in Arizona. Local draft analyst Mike Detillier compared Doucet to Boldin entering this year’s draft as players whose 40-yard dash time may have hurt their draft stock.
Other former Tigers hoping to be selected before the end of this year’s draft include quarterback Matt Flynn, cornerback Jonathan Zenon, linebacker Ali Highsmith, punter Patrick Fisher, tight end Keith Zinger and offensive linemen Will Arnold and Carnell Stewart.
Safety Craig Steltz became the fifth former LSU player chosen in the 2008 NFL Draft when the Chicago Bears selected him at No. 120, the 21st pick in the fourth round.
Steltz was the second player taken from LSU’s Bowl Championship Series National Championship defensive backfield, joining cornerback Jackson who the Atlanta Falcons picked in the third round.
Steltz and Jackson’s backfield mate, cornerback Jonathan Zenon, remains on the draft board along with several other former Tigers including quarterback Matt Flynn.
For more in-depth coverage of the NFL Draft, read Jerit Roser’s blog.
Click here to read a story on LSU’s Glenn Dorsey being chosen No. 5 in the NFL Draft.
Click here to read a story on the Saints’ selection of Sedrick Ellis.
—-Contact Jerit Roser at [email protected].