Godchaux and Dupre chosen on final day of NFL draft

Just two players were drafted on the final day Saturday – defensive lineman Davon Godchaux in the fifth round by the Miami Dolphins and wide receiver Malachi Dupre in the seventh round by the Green Bay Packers.

No other Tigers player was picked Saturday although eight seniors signed free agent contracts following the conclusion of the draft. LSU finished with eight draftees – one shy of the school record set in 2013 and 2014.

Both Godchaux and Dupre, players who gave up their senior seasons, expected to be chosen earlier in the draft. Godchaux admitted that he felt he was going to be a third-round pick. Most people projected Dupre to be selected in the fifth round.

“I am disappointed I lasted until the fifth round,” Godchaux said. “I thought I was going to be take in the third round. I can tell you this. The Miami Dolphins got a steal. I was very surprised to be taken by the Dolphins. They called me a couple of times, but I didn’t know that they were going to pick me.”

Miami General Manager Chris Grier was impressed by Godchaux’s playing style.

“Davon is a physical run defender,” Grier said. “He is a big square body. He’s tough and he enjoys getting dirty. He is used to playing in games against Alabama and Wisconsin.”

Dupre was one of the last ten players selected Saturday. It began to appear that Dupre, who was rated the second best wide receiver in the country when he graduated from River Ridge (La.) Curtis High School following the 2013 season, would go undrafted.

“It was a very long day and a stressful process,” Dupre said. “I am thankful to the Packers organization for picking me. I was filled with emotion when I got the call from Green Bay.”

Dupre is confident that he will be able to contribute in an explosive Packers passing game.

“The best part of my game is that I am a guy who can play multiple positions – inside and outside,” Dupre said. “I am smart. I can recognize defenses and I can pick up offenses very quickly. I felt like mentally and physically I am able to make that step (to the NFL) and contribute.”

Godchaux, who played both defensive tackle in a 4-3 and defensive end in a 3-4 with the Tigers, also believes he can bring a lot of things to the table.

“The best thing I bring is leadership,” Godchaux said. “I’ll also bring a smile with me every day and I will have my work ethic every day.”

It had been three years since the Tigers had a defensive down lineman and a wide receiver drafted. In 2014, defensive tackle Ego Ferguson was drafted by Chicago. Three wide receivers were picked that year – Odell Beckham (New York Giants), Jarvis Landry (Miami) and James Wright (Cincinnati).

Four undrafted LSU offensive players signed free agent contracts – wide receiver Travin Dural with New Orleans, tight end Colin Jeter with Indianapolis, tight end DeSean Smith with Chicago and guard Josh Boutte with Cleveland.

Four undrafted Tigers defensive players signed free agent contracts – end Lewis Neal with Dallas, linebacker Tashawn Bower with Minnesota, cornerback Dwayne Thomas with New England and safety Rickey Jefferson with the Oakland Raiders.

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