Why LSU's Harold Perkins isn't getting drafted in NFL Draft slide originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Harold Perkins was once viewed as a first-round NFL Draft pick.
The fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft is rolling on, and the LSU edge player is still on the board.
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Perkins wasn't the same player in 2025 as he was in 2024.
A knee injury set him back, and it didn't seem like he ever regained his explosiveness.
Dental Lawson could be a sneaky LB deoth add with Sewell out and Sandbirn on a 1 yr deal.Harold Perkins could be a ST/Upside play. Didnt have his usual explosion last year as he was recovering from an AcL injury from late 2024 but if hes healthy 2 years out...
— ChiTownSports Fan (@ChiT0wnSports23) April 25, 2026
BEST DRAFT NAMES: Ephesians Prysock | R Mason Thomas | DeVonta Smith | Zxavian Harris
Perkins also doesn't necessarily have a true position, at least based on his LSU usage, which was all over the field.
He wasn't good in coverage, so he'd need to hit as a pass rusher in the NFL, or improve at other aspects of his game.
It's still quite the fall from grace from only a year-plus ago, when Perkins was a big favorite of NFL draft analysts.
Someone might get a steal, if he reaches his ceiling.
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