Top LSU, Louisiana performers in NFL Week 6

Louisiana and LSU have long been among the top NFL talent-producers as a state and college program, respectively.

And several former Tigers and natives of The Boot were once again among the top performers around the league in Week 6 — enough so that we expanded the list to 18 players, including a lot of love this week for the trenches.

Joe Burrow (LSU) and Ja’Marr Chase (Archbishop Rummel, LSU)

Even in weeks that aren’t their biggest outputs, the Bengals’ duo both remain among the NFL’s best at what they do. Chase’s lowest yardage output of the past four weeks — 72 yards on five catches — was still a top-18 total among all NFL receivers, and Burrow’s lowest output of the past five weeks — 208 yards on 19-for-28 passing — still came in an efficient enough showing that the former Heisman winner was the league’s sixth-highest graded passer, according to Pro Football Focus, and also earned PFF’s third-best overall offensive grade among quarterbacks as he added four rushes for 55 yards and a touchdown in a low-scoring, 17-7 win against the Giants.

Jayden Daniels (LSU)

LSU’s most recent Heisman quarterback already appears, just six games into his professional career, to be establishing himself as a permanent fixture on this list. Coincidentally, Daniels occupied the inverse of Burrow’s positions on the Pro Football Focus ratings with the NFL’s third-highest passer grade for the week and sixth-highest overall offensive grade among quarterbacks. The rookie completed 24 of his 35 passes for a career-high 269 yards and two touchdowns in a battle with nearby Baltimore and reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson. The Ravens worked to contain Daniels’ rushing threat, holding him to his lowest output thus far of 22 yards on six carries, but he once again proved himself an efficient passer when repeatedly challenged to do so.

Damone Clark (Southern Lab, LSU)

The former Kittens and Tigers linebacker joined his former teammates in recording the first sack of his career and actually had arguably one of the best all-around performances of his three-year career thus far despite a long day overall for his Cowboys. With Dallas dealing with a slew of injuries, Clark saw easily the most snaps of his season thus far and one of the highest snap totals of his career Sunday against Detroit — 55, split fairly evenly between run-fits and coverage with a couple pass-rush opportunities. And he was the clear bright spot with his sack, team-high nine tackles and one the team’s two pass break-ups. His PFF grades for overall defense, tackling, run defense and pass-rush led the team, and his coverage ranked third.

Donte’ Jackson (Riverdale, LSU)

The “Cheetah” snatched an interception for his Steelers for the second straight week and also broke up another pass in his highest-graded game of the season thus far. Jackson now has three interceptions on the season, tied for third in the league through six weeks.

Jaquelin Roy (U-High, LSU)

The former Cubs and Tigers star has continued to show encouraging signs in his first 10 days with New England. After limited action as a rookie with the Minnesota Vikings in 2023, Roy recorded his first career sack last week in his Patriots debut and added another Sunday against the Texans.

Davon Godchaux (Plaquemine, LSU)

As one former LSU defensive lineman showed the Patriots encouraging signs early in his career, a grizzled veteran in the group had the best game of his season thus far. Godchaux led the team in both total (8) and solo (4) tackles, along with a couple quarterback hurries.

Maason Smith (Terrebonne, LSU)

A week after Roy’s first career sack, another former highly ranked, in-state LSU defensive line signee recorded his first. Smith earned his second-highest snap total of his rookie year for Jacksonville and recorded both his first sack and his first batted pass.

Zach Tom (Catholic-BR, Wake Forest)

The Baton Rouge native continued his solid season overall at right tackle for the Packers as one of the week’s highest-graded linemen across the board, according to PFF, without allowing a sack, hit or hurry. His overall offensive grade, run blocking and pass-blocking marks ranked No. 4, No. 7 and No. 17, respectively, among all linemen with at least 20 snaps. On the season, Tom has been Green Bay’s top-rated lineman overall, first in run-blocking and second in pass-blocking.

Damien Lewis (LSU)

The former LSU guard was among the bright spots for Carolina in an NFC South game against Atlanta. Lewis earned the week’s 16th-highest overall offensive grade among linemen to play at least 20 snaps, highlighted by his No. 7 pass-blocking score as he didn’t allow a sack, hit or hurry from his left guard spot.

Kayshon Boutte (Westgate, LSU)

The former Tigers speedster caught his first career touchdown pass Sunday for New England with a 40-yard strike from rookie quarterback Drake Maye to highlight his 59-yard day catching all three of his targets. His reception and yardage totals were both second-highest on the team.

KaVontae Turpin (Neville)

The Cowboys’ return specialist led the league this weekend with 194 yards on four kickoff returns, leaping him to No. 4 overall this season with 301 yards on seven returns with a league-leading 43-yards average per opportunity.

Danielle Hunter (LSU)

The Houston defensive end recorded a sack — his first since Week 2 — and two other hurries in the Texans’ defeat of New England. Hunter was the fifth-highest graded performer at the position in the league this weekend and 12th-highest graded defender overall among players with at least 20 snaps. His pass-rush grade was ninth among all defenders and seventh among those to have taken at least 20 snaps.

Malcolm Roach (Madison Prep)

The formers Chargers’ star had another strong showing for his Denver Broncos defense to earn his highest PFF grade of the season thus far. Roach recorded four tackles up front and also got his hands up to deflect a pass. His overall grade and marks for tackling and run defense were all among the team’s best.

Edgerrin Cooper (Covington)

Cooper’s eight tackles were tied for second-most on the team in Green Bay’s big win against Arizona. He played primarily in coverage, where he earned a solid PFF score, and allowed just two catches for a combined 11 yards on three targets.

Foster Moreau (Jesuit, LSU)

The Saints’ tight end caught both of his targets for 54 yards against Tampa Bay and earned PFF’s seventh-highest receiving grade among tight ends and a solid offensive grade overall.

DeVonta Smith (Amite)

The former Heisman winner at Alabama caught three of his four targets for 64 yards and touchdown in Philadelphia’s win against Cleveland.

O’Cyrus Torrence (St. Helena, Ragin’ Cajuns)

The Bills’ second-year right guard earned his best overall grade of the season thus far from PFF behind the strength of his run-blocking score, which ranked No. 17 among all offensive linemen to have played at least 20 snaps. His pass-protection was more up-and-down with three hurries allowed, according to the site.

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