Jackson, Hester, Doucet taken in 3rd round

NFL clubs began snapping up LSU’s top prospects during the second day of the draft.

The Atlanta Falcons took cornerback Chevis Jackson with the fifth pick of Sunday’s third round, the 68th pick overall. With the next pick, the San Diego Chargers traded up with the New England Patriots to take fullback Jacob Hester.

Hester, picked 69th overall, was the first fullback taken in the entire draft.

Later in the third round, the Philadelphia Eagles selected McNeese State linebacker Bryan Smith.

The Arizona Cardinals took LSU receiver Early Doucet with the next pick, 81st overall.

In the fourth round, the Chicago Bears used the 120th overall pick to select LSU safety Craig Steltz.

Shortly after, a pair of Louisiana natives who played college football out of state were taken.

Monroe native Jonathan Wilhite, who played cornerback at Auburn, was taken in the fourth round by the New England Patriots with the 129th pick.

Early in the fifth round, Shreveport native and Southern California quarterback John David Booty was taken 137th overall by the Minnesota Vikings, who traded up with the Green Bay Packers to get him.

Nicholls State defensive back Kareem Moore was taken in the sixth round by the Washington Redskins with the 180th selection.

LSU quarterback Matt Flynn, who started only during his senior season but led the Tigers to a national championship, was taken with the second pick of the seventh and final round of the draft by Green Bay, which traded up to get him.