Auburn’s NFL Draft picture is starting to take shape - and while it may not be a blockbuster year in terms of quantity, the Tigers could still make a major splash early in the 2026 draft.
The biggest domino fell early when veteran center Connor Lew made his decision to declare, despite suffering a season-ending knee injury back in October. Lew, a three-year starter at the heart of Auburn’s offensive line, didn’t wait around to see how the portal might shake out - and that gave head coach Alex Golesh and his staff the clarity they needed to solidify their plans up front. Enter Cole Best, a multi-year starter at USF with some NFL intrigue of his own, who’s expected to step into Lew’s role.
Lew’s early declaration also meant Auburn avoided the kind of draft deadline drama that often clouds offseason planning. Wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. briefly flirted with entering the draft as well, but ultimately chose to transfer, reuniting with former Auburn receivers coach Marcus Davis at Florida.
So, while Auburn may not flood the draft board with names this year, the ones who are in the mix are turning heads - and none more so than Keldric Faulk.
Keldric Faulk: A First-Round Fixture
Faulk has been penciled in as a first-round pick for over a year now, and with the deadline behind us, that projection is only gaining steam. The junior defensive end is showing up all over the top half of mock drafts, with CBS Sports’ Mike Renner placing him as high as No. 5 overall to the New York Giants. Other projections have him going to the Commanders, Cowboys, Dolphins, Chiefs, or Buccaneers - all within the top 15 picks.
That kind of consensus doesn’t happen by accident. Faulk’s blend of size, athleticism, and production has made him one of the most coveted edge prospects in this class. He’s the kind of player who can anchor a defensive front from Day 1, and NFL teams clearly see him as a difference-maker.
Connor Lew: The Top Center on the Board?
Lew’s decision to leave early, even while rehabbing from injury, looks more and more like a smart move. Several draft analysts have him pegged as the top center prospect in the class. ESPN and PFF both list him as their No. 1 center, while NFL Draft Buzz and CBS Sports have him just a tick lower - but still firmly in the top tier of interior offensive linemen.
He’s currently projected to go somewhere in the late second to early third round, and if he checks out medically during the pre-draft process, he could climb even higher. Lew’s combination of experience, football IQ, and anchor ability in pass protection makes him a plug-and-play option for teams in need of interior help.
Keyron Crawford: A Sleeper to Watch
Another name to keep an eye on is edge rusher Keyron Crawford. After a strong senior season, he’s starting to generate some quiet buzz as a potential Day 2 riser. PFF currently ranks him as the No. 22 edge prospect, which puts him outside the top 250 overall - but don’t be surprised if he makes a move up the boards as teams dig deeper into his tape.
Crawford may not have Faulk’s hype, but his production speaks for itself. He’s got the kind of motor and versatility that teams love in rotational pass rushers, and he could be a sneaky value pick for someone in the middle rounds.
Jeremiah Wright: Late-Round Potential
Offensive guard Jeremiah Wright is also on the radar, albeit further down the list. PFF has him ranked as the No. 13 guard prospect, sitting just inside the top 260 overall. He’ll likely need a strong pre-draft process - including workouts and interviews - to solidify his stock, but there’s enough there to suggest he could hear his name called on Day 3.
Final Thoughts
This may not be a deep draft class for Auburn in terms of numbers, but the quality at the top is undeniable. Faulk is a near-lock to go in the first round, and Lew could be one of the first interior linemen off the board. Add in a couple of intriguing mid-to-late round prospects like Crawford and Wright, and Auburn could quietly put together a solid showing in what will be the final draft class of the Hugh Freeze era.
The Tigers may not dominate the headlines in April - but come draft weekend, don’t be surprised if a few Auburn names are called earlier than expected.