Which Auburn Players Are Likely to Be Drafted This Weekend?

AUBURN, Ala. — With the 2025 NFL Draft entering its critical final stretch this weekend, all eyes in Auburn are on a group of Tigers who hope to hear their names called and take the next step toward fulfilling their professional football dreams.

This year’s draft class out of Auburn may not feature a first-round headliner like Derrick Brown or Carlton Davis, but it’s filled with rugged, seasoned prospects who embody the Tigers’ blue-collar spirit — players who can carve out long, successful NFL careers.

Whether it’s a versatile defensive back, a bruising defensive lineman, a developmental offensive lineman, or a physical tight end, Auburn has multiple prospects expected to be taken between Rounds 4-7, or sign quickly as undrafted free agents.

Let’s take a deep dive into which Auburn players are most likely to be drafted, how they project at the next level, and what Auburn’s draft success says about the health of Hugh Freeze’s program.

1. Marcus Harris (DL)

Height/Weight: 6’3”, 295 lbs
Projection: Round 4-5

Marcus Harris enters the weekend as Auburn’s top draft prospect. The versatile defensive lineman was a disruptive force throughout the 2024 season, earning second-team All-SEC honors and consistently wreaking havoc on opposing offenses.

Harris doesn’t boast eye-popping size for an NFL defensive tackle, but his quick first step, low pad level, and violent hands allow him to slip into backfields and collapse pockets. He’s a natural 3-technique defensive tackle but also has experience playing multiple roles across the front, including some time at end in Auburn’s various fronts.

Strengths:

Quickness off the snap
Strong hands and leverage
Versatile interior defender

Concerns:

Lacks elite length
Can be overpowered by double teams at times

Best NFL Fits:

Buffalo Bills (needing D-line depth)
Detroit Lions (developing interior pass rush)
Indianapolis Colts (retooling defensive front)

Draft Outlook: Harris is almost certain to hear his name called sometime Saturday, likely in the early fourth round. He has the chance to contribute immediately as a rotational defensive tackle with starter upside.

2. Jaylin Simpson (DB)

Height/Weight: 6’1”, 183 lbs
Projection: Round 5

Auburn’s Jaylin Simpson may be one of the most intriguing Day 3 prospects in the entire draft.

Starting his career at cornerback before shifting to safety, Simpson showed excellent ball skills in 2024, recording four interceptions and emerging as a leader on the Tigers’ defense. His background as a cornerback makes him highly attractive to NFL teams that value coverage versatility from the safety position.

Simpson is the kind of player NFL coaches love — smart, athletic, and adaptable.

Strengths:

Ball-hawking instincts
Versatility (can play FS, nickel, or hybrid roles)
High football IQ

Concerns:

Needs to add bulk for the NFL
Average tackling mechanics at times

Best NFL Fits:

Philadelphia Eagles (love hybrid DBs)
Los Angeles Rams (young defense needs versatile players)
Miami Dolphins (perfect Fangio-style free safety)

Draft Outlook: Simpson is almost a lock to be selected by the fifth or sixth round. His skill set fits the modern NFL’s demand for versatile, coverage-savvy safeties.

3. Dillon Wade (OL)

Height/Weight: 6’4”, 307 lbs
Projection: Round 5-6

Dillon Wade, a Tulsa transfer, stepped into a key role on Auburn’s offensive line during the 2024 season, bringing toughness, experience, and leadership. While he played left tackle for the Tigers, Wade projects to guard at the next level due to his shorter arm length and struggles against elite edge speed.

However, Wade’s mobility, football IQ, and anchor strength make him a highly intriguing mid-to-late-round developmental pick.

Strengths:

Quick feet and technique
Excellent pulling ability
Smart and assignment-sound

Concerns:

Arm length issues at tackle
Needs to continue refining hand placement

Best NFL Fits:

Chicago Bears (depth and competition across the OL)
Cincinnati Bengals (future starter at guard)
Houston Texans (young OL group still growing)

Draft Outlook: Wade is expected to be selected in Rounds 5-6. He could begin his NFL career as a backup swing lineman before pushing for a starting role inside.

4. Nehemiah Pritchett (CB)

Height/Weight: 6’0”, 190 lbs
Projection: Round 5-6

Another highly athletic defensive back, Nehemiah Pritchett brings blazing speed (4.32 40-yard dash) and solid size to the table. Pritchett started multiple seasons at Auburn, often tasked with matching up against SEC’s best receivers.

His combination of raw speed and size is tantalizing, but teams will need to coach him up on technique and consistency.

Strengths:

Elite straight-line speed
Can match up with burners on the outside
Experience against top competition

Concerns:

Needs refinement in zone coverage
Struggles with ball tracking downfield

Best NFL Fits:

Atlanta Falcons (could help special teams immediately)
Minnesota Vikings (cornerback room overhaul)
Tennessee Titans (new defensive identity under Brian Callahan)

Draft Outlook: Pritchett should hear his name called in the fifth or sixth round. His special teams value — especially as a gunner — gives him a high floor even if it takes time for his cornerback skills to fully translate.

5. Luke Deal (TE)

Height/Weight: 6’5”, 255 lbs
Projection: Round 6-7

Luke Deal won’t wow anyone with speed or eye-popping athleticism, but he might be one of the most dependable blockers among tight ends in this draft class.

In a league that increasingly values tight ends who can hold their own at the point of attack, Deal fits perfectly. He’s a true in-line tight end who understands leverage, angles, and assignments, and he brings value on special teams as well.

Strengths:

Outstanding blocker
Smart and reliable
Team-first mentality

Concerns:

Limited receiving production
Average separation ability

Best NFL Fits:

Baltimore Ravens (run-heavy attack needs blocking TEs)
San Francisco 49ers (perfect fit for Shanahan’s offense)
Tennessee Titans (identity focused on physicality)

Draft Outlook: Deal could be a late sixth- or seventh-round selection. Even if he goes undrafted, he will almost certainly be signed quickly.

6. Justin Rogers (DL)

Height/Weight: 6’2”, 340 lbs
Projection: Round 6-7

Justin Rogers is a mountain in the middle — a pure nose tackle with the ability to plug gaps and control double teams.

While he won’t offer much as a pass-rusher, Rogers’ size and surprising agility make him a valuable rotational piece for teams looking to beef up their run defense.

Strengths:

Elite size and anchor ability
Clogs running lanes effectively
Scheme versatility (0- or 1-technique)

Concerns:

Minimal pass-rush production
Limited lateral quickness

Best NFL Fits:

New England Patriots (classic nose tackle mold)
Pittsburgh Steelers (reloading defensive front)
Green Bay Packers (could fit into their rotation nicely)

Draft Outlook: Rogers is likely a seventh-round selection or priority undrafted free agent. His size alone will make him attractive to multiple NFL teams.

7. Elijah McAllister (EDGE)

Height/Weight: 6’6”, 270 lbs
Projection: Priority UDFA

The wild card among Auburn’s prospects is Elijah McAllister.

The Vanderbilt transfer brings prototype size and flashes of pass-rush ability but struggled with consistency during his lone season at Auburn. He’s a project player — but an intriguing one for teams willing to invest time.

Strengths:

Ideal size and frame
Raw pass-rush tools
High character and work ethic

Concerns:

Needs major technique refinement
Lack of consistent production

Best NFL Fits:

Dallas Cowboys (betting on athletic upside)
Buffalo Bills (love long-limbed pass rushers)
Indianapolis Colts (developmental fit)

Draft Outlook: McAllister will likely go undrafted but could quickly sign with a team as a high-upside developmental prospect.

Big Picture: What This Draft Means for Auburn Football

Even without a first-round pick this year, Auburn’s strong presence in the middle rounds highlights the depth and resilience being rebuilt under Hugh Freeze.

NFL scouts continue to praise Auburn players for their toughness, football intelligence, and adaptability — traits that Freeze and his staff have emphasized in recruiting and development.

Moreover, the variety of Auburn players projected to be drafted — from defensive backs to linemen to tight ends — showcases the program’s all-around health.

Key Themes Emerging from Auburn’s 2025 Draft Class:

Development: Many of Auburn’s prospects were three-star recruits or transfers who blossomed at Auburn.
Versatility: Several players (Simpson, Pritchett) can play multiple roles, an NFL necessity.
Physicality: Nearly every Auburn prospect brings toughness and SEC battle-testing to the table.

Auburn Players Drafted

Here’s a final guess on how the weekend will shake out:

Player	Projected Round
Marcus Harris	Round 4
Jaylin Simpson	Round 5
Dillon Wade	Round 5-6
Nehemiah Pritchett	Round 5-6
Luke Deal	Round 6-7
Justin Rogers	Round 7
Elijah McAllister	UDFA

A six-player draft class — with several more finding homes as free agents — would represent a very healthy outcome for Auburn, sending a strong message to future recruits that the Plains remain a powerful pathway to the NFL.