If New Orleans Saints fans get an LSU Tigers-flavored draft pick next month, they'd just as soon it be the best one available.
In a poll at neworleanssaints.com, Saints fans identified wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who is expected to be the first LSU player selected, as the Tiger they'd most like to have staying to play in the home state. Beckham received 58 percent of 2,719 votes, far outpacing fellow wide receiver Jarvis Landry (18 percent) and running back Jeremy Hill (8 percent).
At least from a position standpoint, Beckham would make some sense where NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah is concerned. Jeremiah has projected the Saints to draft Southern Cal receiver Marqise Lee at No. 27 overall in his latest mock draft, although he has Beckham long gone by that point, going No. 18 overall to the New York Jets.
It's another deep year for LSU draft prospects on both sides of the ball, particluarly on offense. Landry, Hill, quarterback Zach Mettenberger and offensive guard Trai Turner should all get picked, along with defensive tackles Ego Ferguson, Anthony Johnson and linebacker Lamin Barrow. But while the Tigers have produced two first-round picks in each of the past two drafts, Beckham figures to be the only one in 2014.
Whether he'll be around for the Saints at No. 27 might not be quite as likely.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread.*
