Auburn Tigers Highly Draft Relevant in 26/27

The Auburn Tigers are 5-6, and they might just be the best bad team in America. Stunning late collapses against Missouri and Oklahoma haunt fans, and one could argue they were the better team against others as well.

A surprise victory over Texas A&M—that likely dooms the Aggies’ playoff hopes—underscores the talent on this roster.

Among the players projected to be available in the 2025 NFL Draft, WR Keandre Lambert-Smith and RB Jarquez Hunter have made a case to be Day 2 selections. TE Rivaldo Fairweather, DT Isaiah Raikes, DE Jalen McCleod, LB Eugene Asante, and S Jerrin Thompson all could merit consideration in late rounds. 

Behind the 2025 Class, however, Auburn begins to look like a program on the rise.

Keldric Faulk, a Sophomore DE, stands at 6’6” and nearly 290lbs. He has the athleticism to play off the edge and even drop into coverage. His 7 sacks on the year don’t tell the full story of a prospect who has dominated while barely scratching the surface of his potential. He looks like a top 10 selection in 2026.

In the same class is CB Kayin Lee, who has been CB1 for the Tigers. Lack of elite height may drop him to Day 2, but he’s a top-notch talent. C Connor Lew will be one of the first players at his position off the board should he choose to declare after next season. 

Edge defender Keyron Crawford is catching the eye of NFL scouts, and he’s quickly rising up the boards. DB Champ Anthony sure looked like a future NFL prospect before a nasty leg break ended his season. His recovery will be one to watch. And, while OL Dillon Wade and Jeremiah Wright are draft eligible this season, they may opt to return and make a run for Day 2 consideration as well. 

On top of these 7 that are already pegged in the high-to-mid rounds, the Tigers have several other prospects on the roster that could flash NFL talent, and they are likely to spend big in the transfer portal to add more prospects to the roster.

As one looks to the 2027 Class, however, the Tigers could be even more relevant. Currently, Auburn is starting 6 true freshmen. WR Cam Coleman and LB DeMarcus Riddick ooze Round 1 potential. WR Malcolm Simmons will have an opportunity based on speed and incredible athleticism. S Kaleb Harris, CB Jaylin Crawford, and DT Malik Blocton are all undeniable NFL talents who look the part of, at least, Day 2 prospects. DE Amaris Williams and CB Kensley Louidor-Faustin have also played integral roles. Williams, especially, has a high ceiling. Other members of Hugh Freeze’s heralded full inaugural recruiting class are likely to emerge as well.

With Auburn in the midst of a historically bad run of poor on-the-field performance, Saturday’s upset win may not just be an indicator of better days ahead - it’s a harbinger to the NFL of a roster loaded with elite young talent.