Many NFL dreams can be doused on draft weekend. Millions of dollars can wither away as each pick rolls off the commissioner’s tongue. This day can be the deciding factor for many of whether employment in the league is attainable. Four former Tigers appear to have a long, arduous road to NFL prosperity.FAVORITE APPEARING ON DRAFT BOARDSFormer LSU defensive tackle Marlon Favorite, a key player in LSU’s 2007 national title run, is rising on many teams’ draft boards, according to local draft analyst Mike Detillier. “I think he’s going to get picked,” said Detillier, who has Favorite as the No. 24 defensive tackle in the draft. “A lot of clubs like him at the nose guard in the 3-4 defense.”Favorite agreed with the assessment. “It’s a comfortable position,” Favorite said. “I played it in high school. When it comes to playing defensive line, I’m the best at what I do.”Never a difference maker pass rushing, Favorite’s forte is run blocking. Favorite amassed 77 tackles in his career in Baton Rouge with four sacks. “He was a good teammate,” senior defensive end Rahim Alem said. “There’s always guys on the team you’d rather go to war with than others. Marlon was one of those guys.”Former teammates also noted Favorite was an asset chemistry-wise in the locker room. “Marlon’s the reason why we come to [the practice facility] and put a smile on our faces,” said defensive lineman Charles Alexander. “He always had a joke or two to up our day whenever times were hard.”Favorite said he has been in contact with a number of teams, including Indianapolis, New Orleans, Denver, Seattle, Atlanta and St. Louis. “Whoever I go to, I’m thankful,” Favorite said. “I’d like to be out in California, I’d like to play down South, in the Northwest, wherever. I just want to play football.”OVERSHADOWED JOHNSON HOPES TO IMPRESSDefensive end Tremaine Johnson played in the shadows of other players most of his career. Though he never gained the media attention of his fellow ends, such as Tyson Jackson and Kirston Pittman, teammates asserted his play was crucial to their success. “It brought the best out of everybody,” Alexander said of Johnson’s situation. “Tremaine was the reason Kirston was successful, and Tyson was successful, and he was successful.”Detillier said NFL coaches and executives will be surprised with Johnson. “He’s going to be in camp,” Detillier said. “He’s got good speed off the edge and really flashed his skills as a pass rusher.”Playing behind Jackson and Pittman would cause some guys to transfer, but not Johnson. “That’s my college roommate,” Alexander said. “He’s a great teammate and a great player. He’s the ultimate competitor.”HELMS LOOKING TO ACHIEVE DREAMCenter Brett Helms has been looking forward to this weekend for a long time. “From when he was real young, he always wanted to play [in the NFL],” said Margaret Helms, Brett’s mother. “He used to tell his grandparents all the time.” Helms agreed.”It’s always been a goal,” Helms said. “Playing football in high school really got me focused on it.”Experts have given Helms favorable reviews — Detillier has Helms as his 10th rated center in the draft.”Brett’s a great technician,” Detillier said. “He knows how to play the [center] position so well.”Helms said the teams he’s received the most interest from are St. Louis, Indianapolis, Houston and Pittsburgh. When he’ll be selected is a different question.”I’ve heard from fourth round to free agent,” Helms said. “There’s no telling where I’ll go.”MILLER MIGHT SURPRISERyan Miller doesn’t get much press.Miller, at 6-foot-6-inches and 300 pounds, has all the physical attributes to make it in the NFL. He was a vital contributor to a senior class that won a national championship and finished with a 51-14 record in his five years in Baton Rouge. But he was never in the spotlight. “He’s battled injuries for so long,” Detillier said. “He’s got good size. He’ll probably be a priority free agent.”Miller was hit hard by the injury bug early in his career and tore his ACL against Vanderbilt in 2005, his redshirt freshman season. After the injury, Helms took over. “Ryan’s a great guy,” senior guard Lyle Hitt said. “You’re not going to outwork the guy.  He’s always doing what it takes to get better. Hopefully he’ll get picked up by somebody.”——Contact Chris Branch at [email protected]