LSU Football All-Time Draft Picks

LSU has produced 384 NFL Draft picks over the years, starting with Abe Mickal in 1936 and continuing all the way to sixth-round selection Mekhi Wingo in 2024.

Those draft picks, paired with 29 from the AFL, sit LSU comfortably within the top 10 among the schools that have produced the most NFL Draft picks. In 2024 alone, LSU saw 6 players hear their names called, including Jayden Daniels at No. 2 to the Washington Commanders.

The Tigers have produced a grand total of 52 first-round picks, which ranks 7th across college football following the 2024 NFL Draft. Here’s a look at all 52 LSU first-round draft picks:

LSU No. 1 Overall Draft Picks

Quarterback Joe Burrow scores a touchdown as The LSU Tigers take on The Clemson Tigers in the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship. Monday, Jan. 13, 2020.

Of the 384 players drafted, 3 went No. 1 overall: Joe Burrow in 2020, JaMarcus Russell in 2007 and Billy Cannon in 1960. The Tigers are tied for 7th in this category among college programs.

Here’s an in-depth look at LSU’s No. 1 picks:

Joe Burrow, QB — No. 1 Overall, 2020 NFL Draft (Cincinnati Bengals)

Joe Burrow cemented himself in LSU folklore as one of the greatest quarterbacks the college ranks have ever seen. Burrow led the 2019 LSU team to a national title and a perfect season, one that is definitely in the discussion for the greatest team the college game has ever seen, alongside 1995 Nebraska and 2001 Miami. And, well, take your pick from any of the Nick Saban-led Alabama squads…

Back to Burrow, who the Bengals wasted no time in taking with the No. 1 pick. The Bengals reunited Burrow with former teammate Ja’Marr Chase the following season, immediately propelling Cincinnati to the top of the AFC. The Bengals fell to the Rams in Super Bowl LVI, Burrow’s sophomore NFL season.

Across his time at LSU Burrow totaled 8,567 yards, 76 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and a truly incredible 68.6 completion percentage. His senior year was the stuff of legend – 5,671 passing yards, 60 touchdowns, 6 interceptions and a 76.8 completion percentage. And, of course, the 2019 Heisman trophy.

JaMarcus Russell, QB — No. 1 Overall, 2007 NFL Draft (Oakland Raiders)

JaMarcus Russell had an outstanding college football career followed by a lackluster NFL career. Russell was selected No. 1 overall by the Oakland Raiders after throwing for 6,625 yards, 52 touchdowns and 21 interceptions across 3 playing seasons at LSU.

Russell’s redshirt junior season was by far his best in college, seeing him throw for over 3,000 yards with 28 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. He was named to the All-SEC First Team and won Sugar Bowl MVP after leading the Tigers to a blowout victory over Notre Dame.

Russell landed in Oakland despite head coach Lane Kiffin wanting to draft future Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson. He took over for Josh McCown and had a relatively unremarkable first few games of his career.

The former Tiger had an average 2008 campaign, throwing for 2,423 yards, 13 touchdowns and 8 interceptions on the way to a 5-11 season. All forward progress Russell made in Year 2 was completely extinguished in 2009 when he finished with just 3 touchdowns and 11 interceptions across 9 starts.

Billy Cannon, TE — No. 1 Overall, 1960 NFL & AFL Draft (Los Angeles Rams/Houston Oilers)

Billy Cannon won a Heisman Trophy and a national championship at LSU, playing for the Tigers from 1957-1959. He served as a tight end and halfback while seeing snaps all across the defense for LSU. He won the Heisman polling by a significant margin in 1959 despite scoring just 6 touchdowns all season.

Cannon went on to be drafted No. 1 overall in the NFL and first overall by the Houston Oilers in the AFL territorial draft. The LSU star and reigning Heisman trophy winner decided to play for the Oilers instead of the Rams.

It turned out to be a strong decision for Cannon, who went on to win 3 AFL Championships in 1960, 1961 and 1967. He played 10 seasons in the AFL for the Oilers, Raiders and finally the Chiefs in 1970 following the NFL/AFL merger.

Cannon is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and finished his AFL/NFL career with 64 combined touchdowns, 2,455 rushing yards and 3,656 receiving yards.

Aug 20, 1966; Anaheim, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Oakland Raiders tight end Billy Cannon (33) catches a pass against the Boston Patriots during the 1966 pre-season at Anaheim Stadium. Credit: Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports

Other Notable LSU Picks

Alan Faneca, OL — No. 26 overall, 1998 NFL Draft (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Alan Faneca is probably the best offensive lineman to ever come out of LSU and one of the greatest left guards to ever play the game. Faneca was a first-team All-American for LSU in 1997 and went on to be selected No. 26 overall by the Steelers in 1998.

It proved to be a worthwhile pick. Faneca still owns the record for the most Pro Bowl appearances among former LSU players with 9. He’s been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and won a Super Bowl with the Steelers in 2006 over the Seattle Seahawks. On top of that, Faneca was named a 6-time All-Pro and is recognized as a member of the all-2000s Hall of Fame team.

Justin Jefferson, WR — No. 22 overall, 2020 NFL Draft (Minnesota Vikings)

JJettas might just be the next great NFL wide receiver if his current trajectory holds up. He’s among the most talented receivers in the game today and has already totaled 3 Pro Bowls and a All-Pro selection across his first 4 years in the league. Jefferson has posted 4-straight 1,000-yard seasons with 30 touchdowns and 392 receptions.

Jefferson was a member of the truly nasty 2019 LSU Tigers squad that went 15-0 and breezed its way to a national title. If we had to bet, we’d put money on Jefferson earning a Super Bowl ring before his career is all said and done.

Ethan Stone

Ethan Stone was an editor for his student newspaper at the University of Tennessee and is now a News Manager for Saturday Down South.