NFL Draft 2017: Top 5 draft prospects from LSU Football

Dec 31, 2016; Orlando , FL, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jamal Adams (33) against the Louisville Cardinals during the first half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

LSU Football had an interesting 2016 season, but they still have some top prospects in the 2017 NFL Draft.

The LSU Tigers lost head coach Les Miles after a 2-2 start but interim head coach Ed Oregeron steered the team to a 6-2 finish. The Tigers still finished with a defense that allowed just 117.3 rushing yards and less than 200 passing yards per game.

Some of that talent in apparent in this year's draft class. While some LSU players like defensive tackle Davon Godchaux and defensive end Tashawn Bower didn't make the list, it's still apparent LSU is capable of producing a good number of NFL talent.

Bower and Godchaux finished the team's final game with a combined 4.0 sacks in their 29-9 bowl victory over the Louisville Cardinals on December 31.

The Tigers took some heat as well for allowing running back Leonard Fournette to sit out their bowl game. But Fournette is still one of the top running backs in this year's draft class. Here's a look at the top NFL Draft prospects from the LSU Tigers.

Nov 24, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Malachi Dupre (15) makes a touchdown reception during the second quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Malachi Dupre

WR, LSU

Despite struggling to find a starting quarterback all-season long, LSU Tigers wide receiver Malachi Dupre still found a way to make a name for himself in the passing game.

Dupre is an early entry in this year's heavily-defensive NFL Draft class. He caught 43 balls for 698 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns in 2015.

Last season, he led the Tigers in receiving yards (593) and catches (41) and his three receiving touchdowns tied for first on the squad.

Dupre had a strong finish to the 2016 season. He had four catches for 50 yards and a touchdown in a victory over the Texas A&M Aggies on November 24. Then, he had seven catches for 139 receiving yards in the team's 29-9 bowl victory over Louisville on December 31.

Dupre is 6-foot-2 with good leaping ability (39.5″ vertical at NFL Combine). He's one of top receiving targets from LSU's pro-style offense. He is currently projected to be a third or fourth round pick.

Sep 12, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs tight end Gus Walley (19) is tackled by LSU Tigers linebacker Kendell Beckwith (52) during the second half at Davis Wade Stadium. LSU won 21-19. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Kendell Beckwith

ILB, LSU

Inside linebacker Kendell Beckwith tore his ACL in the team's final home game of the regular season on November 19, but still finished at the team's second-leading tackler on the season. Beckwith did enough to earn first-team All-SEC honors in his final season as a college linebacker but his health is an issue entering the NFL Draft.

Beckwith had 91 total tackles (33 solo, 58 assisted), 6.0 tackles for loss, 4 pass breakups, a sack and a fumble recovery in 2016. In 2015, he had a career-high 10.0 tackles for loss on the season. He also ranked second on the team in tackles that season.

He didn't participate in many drills at the NFL Combine, but he did bench press 225-pounds for 20 reps, at least showing his 6-foot-2 and 243-pound could withstand some type of extraneous circumstances.

He's currently projected to be drafted in the third or fourth round. With his current limitations, Beckwith will need to prove his worth in the NFL over time.

Oct 1, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers cornerback Tre'Davious White (18) intercepts a pass against the Missouri Tigers during the first half of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Tre'Davious White

CB, LSU

Tigers cornerback Tre'Davious White was a four-year starter with the LSU Tigers defense from 2013-2016. He made his presence known on the football field as soon as he stepped in Baton Rouge and looks to do the same in the NFL Draft.

He earned freshman All-SEC honors back in 2013, racking up 55 total tackles (39 solo, 16 assisted), 7 pass breakups, 2.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions and a forced fumble as a true freshman.

White had just 35 total tackles on the season, but he also had two interceptions and an interception return for a touchdown. He was a big piece in the Tigers secondary in 2016 with a team-high 14 pass break ups and also 4.0 tackles for loss.

He was a first-team All-American and first-team All-SEC selection in his final collegiate season. He's got patience in coverage and has experience in the punt return game. He had 688 punt return yards and three punt return touchdowns through 2014-16.

White serves as another LSU defender with pro-level skills. He ran a 4.47 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. His experience against SEC offenses serves him for the next level. He's currently projected to be drafted in the first or second rounds.

Oct 15, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers safety Jamal Adams (33) celebrates after picking up a fumble during the third quarter of a game against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Jamal Adams

Safety, LSU

Safety Jamal Adams is another prospect from the LSU Tigers in a deep class of defensive talent. He was three-year starter for LSU before entering his name early in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Adams started in every game in 2015 and 2016, two in his freshman season. He earned All-American and All-SEC honors this past season for his stellar play on an underrated secondary.

Adams tallied 76 total tackles (42 solo, 34 assisted), 7.5 tackles for loss, 4 pass breakups, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 2016. He recorded four interceptions back in 2015.

Adams is a hard-hitting safety with a nose for the football. NFL teams would love to have his impact potential in their secondary. In the SEC, he proved he can anchor a college level defense but he'll have to turn things up a notch at the pro level. He's currently projected to be a first round pick.

Nov 12, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) looks over to the sidelines during the third quarter of the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. LSU won 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

Leonard Fournette

RB, LSU

Running back Leonard Fournette took a lot of criticism back on December 31 for sitting out the Citrus Bowl. But Fournette happily handed the starters' torch to running back Derrius Guice in order to prepare for the NFL Draft.

Fournette ran for 843 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in just seven games for the LSU Tigers last season. He battled an ankle injury all-season long, but still managed to but up reasonable numbers in limited action. He still ran for 120.4 rushing yards and 6.5 rushing yards per game in 2016.

The junior running back ran for 1,953 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns in 2015, when he finished fifth in Heisman voting. While his production was noticeably down in 2016, his successor, Derrius Guice ran for 1,387 rushing yards so the Tigers run game was still in good shape without Fournette.

At the NFL Combine, Fournette put up a 4.51 40-yard dash and 28.5″ vertical but his pro day performance looked a lot better. After showing up to the combine at 240 pounds, Fournette weighed in at 228 pounds at pro day. He didn't run the 40 at pro day but did show teams he was able to drop weight after a questionable combine performance. He's still projected to be a first round pick.

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