Auburn Alums Shine in Week 16: Bigsby Breaks Through, Defense Dominates
It was a week to remember for former Auburn Tigers in the NFL, especially on the defensive side of the ball. From Tank Bigsby’s long-awaited touchdown to Jamien Sherwood’s tackling clinic, Auburn products made their presence felt across the league in Week 16.
Let’s take a closer look at how several Tigers made their mark as the regular season winds down.
Tank Bigsby, RB - Philadelphia Eagles
It took a while, but Tank Bigsby finally found paydirt in 2025 - and he did it in style. With just over four minutes left in the fourth quarter, Bigsby broke free for a 22-yard touchdown run that helped seal the Eagles’ NFC East-clinching win over the Commanders. The score gave Philly a 19-point cushion and capped off a strong performance from the second-year back.
Bigsby made the most of his limited touches, racking up 37 yards on just four carries - good for a season-high 6.6 yards per attempt. The touchdown was his longest run of the day and the second-longest of his season.
His burst and vision were on full display, earning him an 83.8 offensive grade and an 82.2 rushing grade from Pro Football Focus. Through 82 snaps this year, Bigsby has totaled 262 rushing yards and now boasts an impressive 88.1 overall PFF grade - a strong finish to a season that’s been about maximizing opportunity.
Derrick Brown, DL - Carolina Panthers
When the Panthers needed a big play to protect their slim lead, Derrick Brown delivered. The veteran defensive tackle came up clutch in the fourth quarter, sacking Baker Mayfield to halt a promising Buccaneers drive and force a field goal. That play helped Carolina hang on for a 23-20 win - one that vaulted them into first place in the division with two weeks to go.
Brown finished the game with five tackles (three solo) and logged his fifth sack of the season - tying him for 12th among 128 interior defenders. It also marked the 13th sack of his career.
The sixth-year pro continues to be a cornerstone on the Panthers’ defensive front, improving his overall PFF grade to 73.6 and his pass rush grade to 71.0. Those marks rank him 17th and 26th, respectively, among interior linemen - a testament to his consistency and impact in the trenches.
Carlton Davis III, CB - New England Patriots
Carlton Davis III was all over the field in the Patriots’ dramatic 28-24 comeback win over the Ravens. The veteran cornerback led the team with eight total tackles, including a season-high six solo stops. He also notched a tackle for loss - his third in as many games - showing his ability to impact the game in run support as well as coverage.
Davis’ strong performance helped the Patriots clinch their first playoff berth since 2021, and it marked his fourth career postseason appearance. He’s now done it with two different franchises (Tampa Bay and New England), further underscoring his value as a veteran presence in the secondary. His PFF run defense grade climbed to 82.8 - seventh among 108 qualifying corners - while his overall grade sits at a solid 66.5.
Jonathan Jones, CB - Washington Commanders
Jonathan Jones may be in his 10th NFL season, but he’s still playing with the energy and physicality of a player trying to earn his first contract. The former Auburn standout posted a season-high eight tackles - seven of them solo - against the Eagles in Week 16. It was his most solo tackles in a game since Week 16 of 2022, when he was still with New England.
Jones also improved his PFF pass rush grade to 83.8, which ranks 10th among all qualifying cornerbacks. That’s no small feat for a player primarily known for his work in coverage. Now with the Commanders, Jones continues to be a reliable veteran presence and one of the longest-tenured Auburn alums in the league - second only to Chargers long snapper Josh Harris.
Jamien Sherwood, LB - New York Jets
Jamien Sherwood has quietly become one of the most productive linebackers in football this season. Against the Saints, he led the Jets in tackles for the ninth time this year, finishing with 11 total stops - his eighth game with double-digit tackles in 2025.
Sherwood also added his eighth tackle for loss and his second sack of the season, dropping the quarterback on third down to force a field goal. That kind of situational awareness and execution is exactly why he wears the captain’s “C” on his chest.
He earned a PFF defensive grade of 77.6 and posted a season-best run defense grade of 91.0 - the highest among all linebackers in Week 16. His season-long run defense grade now sits at 84.5, ranking him ninth among 86 qualifying linebackers.
After finishing third in total tackles last season, Sherwood is once again among the league leaders with 140 total tackles (seventh) and 62 solo stops (tied for 13th). He’s been the heartbeat of the Jets’ defense all year long.
Other Tigers Around the League
Auburn’s NFL footprint remains strong, with several other former Tigers making contributions across the league:
- KJ Britt (LB, Dolphins)
- Daniel Carlson (K, Raiders)
- Jamel Dean (CB, Buccaneers)
- Derick Hall (LB, Seahawks)
- Josh Harris (LS, Chargers)
- Jarquez Hunter (RB, Rams)
- Noah Igbinoghene (CB, Commanders)
- Austin Keys (LB, Vikings)
- Dorian Mausi (LB, Titans)
- Bo Nix* (QB, Broncos)
- Owen Pappoe (LB, Cardinals)
- JJ Pegues* (DL, Raiders)
- Nehemiah Pritchett (CB, Seahawks)
- Keandre Lambert-Smith (WR, Chargers)
- Darius Slayton (WR, Giants)
- Jarrett Stidham (QB, Broncos)
- Daniel Thomas (S, Lions)
- Malik Willis* (QB, Packers)
- Colby Wooden (DT, Packers)
Injured Reserve:
- Roger McCreary (CB, Rams)
- Jalen McLeod (LB, Jaguars)
- Braden Smith (OL, Colts)
Practice Squad:
- Sal Cannella (TE, Browns)
- Rivaldo Fairweather (TE, Cowboys)
- Shedrick Jackson (WR, Raiders)
- Jayson Jones (DT, Buccaneers)
- Eku Leota (LB, Cardinals)
- Jaylin Simpson (S, Packers)
- Killian Zierer (OL, Jaguars)
As the regular season winds down and the playoff picture sharpens, Auburn’s NFL alumni continue to play pivotal roles - whether it’s making game-changing plays, leading defensive units, or grinding it out in the trenches. Week 16 was a reminder that the Tigers aren’t just in the league - they’re making noise.