AU Next Level: 2020 NFL Draft tracker

NFL_Draft_TrackerNFL_Draft_Tracker

AUBURN, Ala. – There's something uniquely special about the NFL draft. That moment you get the phone call from a team. The moment you see your name show up across the TV screen. It's the dream these players have had since they were little, and it's finally coming true. 

Follow along this weekend as we track the Auburn players taken in the 2020 NFL Draft. 

RoundNo.PlayerTeamPos
17Derrick BrownCarolina PanthersDT
130Noah IgbinogheneMiami DolphinsCB
247Marlon DavidsonAtlanta FalconsDL
4145Jack DriscollPhiladelphia EaglesOL
5157Daniel ThomasJacksonville JaguarsS
6210Prince Tega WanoghoPhiladelphia EaglesOT

DAY 1

DT Derrick Brown
Round 1, Pick 7, Carolina Panthers 

Derrick Brown began what could be a record-setting draft for Auburn Thursday when the Carolina Panthers picked the unanimous All-America defensive lineman with the No. 7 overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Holding his 1-year-old son in his lap, Brown celebrated his achievement with his family at their home in Sugar Hill, Georgia.

"To finally be able to see my dreams come true, I waited a long time just to have this special moment, being able to spend it with my family, it meant the world to me," Brown said. "Under the circumstances, we weren't where we originally planned to be in Vegas, but God willing, I was able to be here with my family and everyone was able to be healthy."

Brown is Auburn's first defensive player to be picked in the top 10 since Carlos Rogers went ninth overall in 2005, one of Auburn's four first-rounders that year.

To read full story, click here. 

CB Noah Igbinoghene
Round 1, Pick 30, Miami Dolphins

Noah Igbinoghene bet on himself by declaring early for the NFL draft after his junior season. That bet paid off for the former Auburn cornerback Thursday night as he was taken in the first round by the Miami Dolphins with the 30th overall selection.

Igbinoghehe was the second Auburn player drafted in the first round, joining Derrick Brown who went No. 7 overall to the Carolina Panthers earlier in the night. 

"We're real excited for Noah, real excited for his family," Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn said. "He chose to come out early and for him to go in the first round, that's really big.

"The Dolphins are getting a special player. You're talking about a guy who's only played corner really for two years, so we think his best ball is ahead of him. He's a great competitor. He's a super kick returner. So I think they're getting the complete package with Noah."

To read full story, click here. 

DAY 2

DL Marlon Davidson
Round 2, Pick 47, Atlanta Falcons

Promise fulfilled.

The Atlanta Falcons announced their second-round selection of Auburn's Marlon Davidson Friday with the No. 47 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by sharing a video of Marlon describing the motivation for all he's achieved, a promise he made to provide for his mother, who passed away when Davidson was a high school junior.

"This is a blessing for my family, and we're going to strive to be the best," Davidson said. "I'm fixing to give everything I can to this organization. The defense is going to be good next year, I promise you that."

Davidson dominated during his senior season on the Plains, winning the SEC's Defensive Lineman of the Week award four times. A four-year starter at defensive end, he's projected to move inside and play defensive tackle in the NFL. 

"You'll get the best out of me every snap. It's just who I am," Davidson said. "My character, my want for the game, everything about me. I improved everything, every little aspect of my game from my freshman year to my senior year, I became better. I feel like it showed this year. I feel like I peaked, and I feel like I'm the best right now."

"I love how physical he plays," ESPN analyst Anthony "Booger" McFarland said. "Understands leverage, the ability to get off blocks. All traits that you can take from the end position and come inside. I like this pick. I can't wait to see him rush over the guards in the NFL."

Davidson becomes Auburn's third selection in the 2020 draft, all on defense, joining first-rounders Derrick Brown (No. 7) and Noah Igbinoghene (No. 30). 

DAY 3

OL Jack Driscoll
Round 4, Pick 145, Philadelphia Eagles

Following in his father's footsteps, Auburn offensive lineman Jack Driscoll heard his name called Saturday in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.

His father, New Hampshire offensive lineman John Driscoll, was a 12th-round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 1988.

Driscoll, who earned Auburn's starting right tackle position in 2018 after coming to the Plains as a graduate transfer from UMass, was the No. 145 overall selection. He is Auburn's fourth draftee in 2020, and the Tigers' first offensive player selected. 

"Versatility and consistency," Driscoll said after his Auburn Pro Day workout. "I'm going to be the same every day. I'm not going to be one of those guys who's up and down and a rollercoaster. Coaches know they're going to get a guy who can play different positions. I can play tackle, I can play inside, I can play center. Having that ability really helps me out. It makes me that much more valuable."

"He did a good job along that offensive line," added ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. "The one thing you love about Jack Driscoll, he's a really good technician. He's well-coached and is going to come into the league all ready at that aspect of playing guard and tackle."

Driscoll earned his master's degree from Auburn University's Harbert College of Business. The 6-5, 306-pounder started 45 consecutive FBS games.

S Daniel Thomas
Round 5, Pick 157, Jacksonville Jaguars

Daniel Thomas wants to use his story to inspire people. The next chapter of that story was written Saturday when Thomas was drafted in the fifth round with pick No. 157 by the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

"I'm going to show people how God can take a person that basically had nothing – came from nothing, everybody looked down on, I wasn't supposed to be where I'm at today – and I feel like He's going to do something (in the draft) that's going to shock the whole world," Thomas said.

A three-star coming out of high school, Thomas was a last-minute addition for Auburn. But he elevated into a two-year starter at safety for the Tigers, and as a senior this past year, he was second on the team with 74 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss. He also finished his career with five interceptions. 

"Whether it's making plays against the run or the pass, what really jumped out is his speed and his range," ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said. "He ran 4.51 at the combine, 37-inch vertical, 24 reps (on bench). He'll have a chance. He'll push for a starting job. He'll be a good special teams guy as well with the Jacksonville Jaguars."

Thomas becomes the fifth Auburn player drafted in 2020 and the fourth taken on defense.  

OT Prince Tega Wanogho
Round 6, Pick 210, Philadelphia Eagles

For Prince Tega Wanogho, the journey has taken him from Nigeria to Auburn and now it's on to Philadelphia where he will realize his dream of playing in the NFL. 

Wanogho was drafted by the Eagles at pick No. 210 in the sixth round Saturday. 

"It's going to be a dream come true for a young kid who came all the way from Nigeria and always had the dream to play professional sports at some level," Wanogho said earlier this week. 

Wanogho made 32 starts during his career at Auburn primarily at left tackle. 

"This is an impressive athlete on the football field the way he plays the position at 6-foot-5, 308 pounds," ESPN analyst Louis Riddick said. "When you throw on the tape and you throw him up against some of the better competition – let's just take for instance when they played LSU and he matched up against K'Lavon Chaisson – he has some of the nicest sets you're going to see.  

"He's one of those individuals where you sit there and you go, 'If you can get this guy in the sixth round, you're doing some pretty good work.' I really like this pick for Philadelphia."

Wanogho will team up with fellow Auburn offensive lineman Jack Driscoll in Philadelphia. The Eagles selected Driscoll in the fourth round. A total of six Auburn players have now been drafted, tying the program record that was set a year ago. 

Undrafted Free Agents

DL Nick Coe, New England Patriots
DB Javaris Davis, Kansas City Chiefs
S Jeremiah Dinson, Detroit Lions
OL Marquel Harrell, Buffalo Bills
WR Will Hastings, New England Patriots 
OL Mike Horton, Detroit Lions
FB Spencer Nigh, Pittsburgh Steelers
P Arryn Siposs, Detroit Lions