Patrick Peterson sported a red tie, red handkerchief in his suit pocket and even red-rimmed sunglasses in the bright lights of Radio City Music Hall on Thursday night for the first round of the NFL Draft.
The red accessories were a fitting omen of the former LSU cornerback’s NFL future, which began when the Arizona Cardinals made him the No. 5 overall pick and the highest LSU defensive back ever selected in the draft.
Peterson is the 33rd first-round pick LSU has produced, and he joins former Tennessee safety Eric Berry as the highest-drafted defensive back in Southeastern Conference history.
The 6-foot-1-inch, 219-pound Peterson is the eighth first-rounder and fifth top-10 pick under LSU coach Les Miles’ tutelage. Miles traveled to New York to attend the draft with Peterson.
“This has been an unbelievable experience, and to have my family here and Coach Miles means so much to me,” Peterson said at his post-draft reception. “It was something I waited for my entire life.”
Miles expressed his excitement for Peterson via Twitter.
“Very happy for Patrick and his family. It was great to be in NYC with him for the draft,” he tweeted.
ESPN football analyst John Gruden said Peterson’s “raw ability” will make him an asset to the Cardinals, who finished in the cellar of the NFC West at 5-11 in 2010.
But at the same time, Gruden issued a caveat that the 2010 Southeastern Conference Defensive and Special Teams Player of the Year “rarely put his hands on anybody.”
Peterson likely won’t be striking the Heisman Trophy pose in the NFL to celebrate an interception, punt return or kickoff return, but ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. described Peterson as “Deion Sanders-like” in the return game.
He will have to fight to get those return touchdowns if he gets the chance since the league voted in March to move kickoffs to the 35-yard line.
Peterson might eventually emerge as a starter alongside Arizona cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who is arguably one of the top cover corners in the NFL.
Rodgers-Cromartie was Arizona’s first-round pick three seasons ago at No. 16 overall.
Last season the Cardinals were No. 30 in points allowed per game (27.1), No. 23 in passing yards allowed (228.4) and No. 29 in total yards allowed (373.6).
Five of the first six first-round picks Thursday night were SEC players, beginning with former Auburn quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton as No. 1 overall to the Carolina Panthers.
Two former Alabama players were chosen in the top six – defensive tackle Marcell Dareus by the Buffalo Bills at No. 3 and wide receiver Julio Jones by the Atlanta Falcons three picks later. The Falcons acquired the No. 6 selection from the Cleveland Browns in a draft-day trade.
Former LSU guard Alan Faneca, a 13-year NFL veteran, and wide receiver Early Doucet also sport Cardinals uniforms and will welcome Peterson, who spurned his senior season to turn professional.
“You work so hard to get to this moment,” Peterson said. “I’d like to thank Coach Miles and the LSU family who supported me through my college career. Playing in the NFL is a dream come true. I can’t wait to get to Arizona and meet my teammates.”
Besides Peterson, the New Orleans Saints made headlines by drafting California defensive end Cameron Jordan with the 24th pick and pulled off a late trade with the New England Patriots for the No. 28 pick to select Alabama running back Mark Ingram.
The Saints traded away the No. 56 overall pick and a first-rounder in the 2012 draft to draft the former Heisman Trophy winner at 28th overall.
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Contact Rachel Whittaker at rwhittaker @lsureveille.com