Dan Pompei Assessment of LSU Draft Prospects

Dan Pompei is the lead Bears correspondent at the Chicago Tribune and a contributor to various national football publications. He serves on the Hall of Fame selectors board and is generally well regarded in NFL circles. Each year, he writes a position by position preview of the NFL draft for the Tribune. Because of his lengthy career, he has an extensive network of contacts in NFL scouting departments and front offices. The most enlightening aspect of his draft evaluations are comments from those individuals. I have compiled his blurbs on LSU's marquee prospects. The number next to the player's name represents his ranking within his positional group.

"3. Eric Reid, Louisiana State, 6-1, 213. This is a big box safety who has the range to play the back end. He reads the field well and has made plays on the ball throughout his career. Reid plays intelligently, and he has decent speed. He can come downhill and put a wallop on the ballcarrier. The junior eligible gets over-aggressive and whiffs at times. He is a little inconsistent with angles and breakdown. Said one college scouting director, "You could make a great highlight tape of his good plays, and you could make a highlight tape of his bad plays too." Reid is more inconsistent than the top two safety prospects.

12. Tyrann Mathieu, Louisiana State, 5-9, 186. Mathieu is much smaller than ideal, too small to start in the NFL. But he has the heart of a lion. "Pound for pound he may be the toughest player in the draft," one general manager said. "He will tackle the daylights out of you." And he has "unbelievable ball skills" in the estimation of one national scout. Mathieu has a nose for the football, and he has great instincts. "He can process routes and anticipate," a college director said. As a nickel corner, he has real potential value. Mathieu ran a 4.46 40-yard dash, but some scouts think he is a much slower player with pads. He also is a dynamic returner. Mathieu failed multiple drug tests at LSU and was kicked off the team. His off-field behavior is a big concern for NFL teams. "If he had it all together, he'd be a first-round pick," a personnel director said.

19. Tharold Simon, Louisiana State, 6-2, 202. Simon is a natural athlete, as he showed at the combine. His quickness, ability to redirect and play speed are good. His size is excellent. He drives on the ball and can pack a punch. But he is not a very disciplined player, and he doesn't have a lot of production. He probably would be best in a press-zone scheme.

3. Kevin Minter, Louisiana State, 6-0, 246: He is a little shorter than ideal, but he is athletic and physical. Minter has good strength to hold the point. He also shows lateral quickness and change of direction. He excels tackle to tackle. He's a solid tackler — one general manger said, "He's the strongest tackler of any of them. When he hits you, you stop in your tracks." In pass coverage, he is good in short zones but doesn't have much speed to go vertical. He is aware. Minter is known as a player who steps up in crunch time, and one who doesn't make many mistakes. "He's a very good player and a very good leader," another general manager said. Some like him better than Te'o.

2. Brad Wing, Louisiana State, 6-3, 205: He's Australian, and a rugby style punter. Scouts like the lefty's size and leg strength. He tends to kick low balls that go for distance so he might not fit on a team that wants to directional punt. He reportedly failed a drug test, and some scouts say his demeanor turns them off

10. Bennie Logan, Louisiana State, 6-2, 309: He may not be a high end athlete, but Logan is an appealing blend of football player and intangibles. He is a "terrific leader," according to scouts. He is consistent. He is tough. He plays hard. He has a good burst off the ball. And he's strong. Scouts think he can develop over time. Logan didn't have a real productive season in 2012, and decided to leave school early.

2. Barkevious Mingo, Louisiana State, 6-4, 241. His best fit would be as an outside linebacker in a 3-4, but he can play defensive end in a four-man front. Mingo doesn't have ideal size to play with his hand down, however. His rare athleticism, quickness and speed will translate to whatever position he plays. Some scouts are a little cautious about Mingo because he had only 41/2 sacks last season. In fact, one called him "overrated." But some team will bet on him. His lack of sack production wasn't always a reflection of how well he was playing. He often was double teamed, even though he was facing some of the best offensive tackles in the country, and some of the gimmicky offenses LSU faced weren't conducive to sacking the quarterback. "He's just a puppy," a front-office man said. "He'll get bigger and stronger, and his best ball is ahead of him. Mingo has top intangibles, and he should be able to transition to the NFL quickly, even though he came out of school early.

8. Sam Montgomery, Louisiana State, 6-3 262. He is a power rusher who plays with excellent intensity. Montgomery has a stronger upper body and great punch. He controls offensive linemen with his hands and is good at shedding blocks. It's difficult to run at him. He produced more than his teammate Mingo, but he isn't as athletic or as fast. He is slow to react, and it takes him awhile to change directions. Montgomery has a different personality, but he was well-liked at LSU. Montgomery would fit in any scheme and should be ready to contribute early despite coming out of school with eligibility remaining."