Auburn Made: 2024 NFL Draft Tracker

DraftTracker_copyDraftTracker_copy

AUBURN, Ala. – The moment. There's nothing like it. When you get that phone call from an NFL general manager or head coach. When you hear your name called during the NFL Draft. It's a dream that almost every player has worked for their whole life. 

It's no different at Auburn where there's been at least one player selected in the each of the last 20 NFL drafts. Last year, five former Tigers got that life-changing call. 

Who will be next?  

Follow along as we track each and every Auburn player taken in the 2024 NFL Draft. 

 

RoundNo.PlayerTeamPos
5136Nehemiah PritchettSeattle SeahawksCB
5164Jaylin SimpsonIndianapolis ColtsS
6192D.J. JamesSeattle SeahawksCB
7244Justin RogersDallas CowboysDT
7247Marcus HarrisHouston TexansDT

DAY 3

CB Nehemiah Pritchett
Round 5, Pick 136, Seattle Seahawks

For the second straight year, the first Auburn player off the board is headed to Seattle. Last year, it was Derick Hall going to the Seahawks in the second round. This year, they took cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett with the first pick of the fifth round, No. 136 overall. 

"It's really just a dream come true," Pritchett said. "It's been something I've been dreaming of all my life, just watching it on TV growing up as a kid. I'm really just thankful for this opportunity. I'm blessed. I got a chance to celebrate this moment with my family and friends. I can't wait to see what's next."

Pritchett started each of the last three seasons at Auburn and finished with 113 tackles, 29 passes defended and three interceptions in his five seasons on the Plains. His 4.36 in the 40-yard dash was fifth-fastest among defensive backs and eighth-fastest among all players at this year's NFL Combine. 

"If you're looking for a press coverage corner, this is your dude," ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller said. "He's got the length at the line of scrimmage, a ton of reps – 329 of them playing up in press at the line of scrimmage. He can play. He's comfortable up. He knows how to redirect guys at the line of scrimmage using that length and using that speed.

'You're looking at this long, slender corner. This is Seattle's type. This is what (Seattle Seahawks GM) John Schneider likes at the corner position."

With Pritchett getting drafted, Auburn's streak of having a player taken in the NFL Draft is now at 21 consecutive drafts. Pritchett will join fellow Auburn defensive backs Carlton Davis, Jamel Dean, Rudy Ford, Noah Igbinoghene, Jonathan Jones, Roger McCreary and Daniel Thomas at the next level with that list likely to grow as the day goes on.  

Seattle might be Pritchett's new home, but he will always be grateful to the Auburn Family. 

"Auburn Family, I just want to say I thank you guys," Pritchett said. "I really enjoyed playing in front of you guys in Jordan-Hare. You have the best fan base in the world, and if I had to go back and do it over again, I wouldn't change a thing."
 


 


CB Jaylin Simpson
Round 5, Pick 164, Indianapolis Colts

The second Auburn defensive back to get the call in Saturday's fifth round, safety Jaylin Simpson joined the Indianapolis Colts with overall selection No. 164. 

"It's a dream come true," Simpson said. "Something I've always wanted to do since I was a little kid. My five years at Auburn put me in the best position to be in this spot. I'm super blessed and thankful for this phone call and to be an Indianapolis Colt."

Simpson provided ample video for the Colts to evaluate during his five seasons on the Plains. 

The 6-1 safety made four interceptions while earning All-SEC honors in 2023, finishing with 118 career tackles and seven INTs.  

Now he returns to Indianapolis, where he showed out for scouts during the NFL Combine two months earlier. 

"When he was locked up on you, he eliminated targets," ESPN analyst Matt Miller said Saturday after Simpson's selection. "When he was the primary defender, teams did not throw his way. He has experience in press coverage. He has experience playing the post safety position. 

"He had a pick-six and a fumble recovery in the season opener against UMass. He was a playmaker for this Auburn secondary that was loaded with talent. 

"I saw this guy at the Senior Bowl making plays at and near the line of scrimmage. Can't get pushed around by blockers in the run game. If he can work on that, he can find his way into a nickel and dime package in the NFL."

Before Auburn's A-Day scrimmage, Simpson received the Zeke Smith Award for being the Tigers' defensive player of the year in 2023. 

"Auburn played a big role," Simpson said. "I want to give a big shout-out to Auburn. I'll love y'all forever. War Eagle."

 


 


CB D.J. James
Round 6, Pick 192, Seattle Seahawks

The 16th pick of the sixth round, D.J. James will have a built-in roommate when he arrives in the Pacific Northwest for training camp. 

One round after Seattle drafted Auburn cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett in the fifth round, the Seahawks selected James with pick No. 192 overall.

"It's a blessing to be here," James said, minutes after celebrating wtih family and friends. "Something I've worked for my whole life. Now I'm just ready to showcase my skills and I'm excited. I've got a chip on my shoulder."

With fellow Auburn defensive back Jaylin Simpson drafted by the Colts in the fifth round, 2024 marks the first time the Tigers have had three secondary players selected in the same draft. 

For James, who played his first three collegiate seasons at Oregon, the cross-country trip from his hometown of Mobile to Washington state will be nothing new. 

A two-year starter on the Plains, James totaled 75 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions and 21 passes defended in 2022 and 2023. 

He earned Second Team All-SEC honors as a junior, attracting attention from NFL scouts.  

 


 


DT Justin Rogers
Round 7, Pick 244, Dallas Cowboys

Justin Rogers became the fourth Auburn player to be drafted Saturday when the Dallas Cowboys selected him in the seventh round with the 244th overall pick. 

The 6-foot-3, 346-pound defensive tackle played one season at Auburn after transferring in from Kentucky and recorded 17 tackles, two tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Prior to Auburn, he had 60 tackles and five tackles for loss over his three seasons at Kentucky. 

Rogers, a native of Detroit, Michigan, is the first Auburn player drafted by the Dallas Cowboys since defensive end Jeremiah Ratliff went to Dallas in the 2005 NFL Draft. 

The Tigers have now had four or players taken in back-to-back drafts and eight of the last 10 drafts going back to 2014. 
 


DT Marcus Harris
Round 7, Pick 247, Houston Texans

Just three spots after the Cowboys drafted Justin Rogers, fellow defensive tackle Marcus Harris joined him in the Lone Star State, selected by the Houston Texans in round seven at No. 247 overall, the fifth player from Auburn's defense to be picked on Saturday. 

"It's an amazing feeling," Harris said. "I give all the glory to God. I wouldn't be here without Him. Getting to celebrate with my friends and family, I couldn't express anything more. I loved it."

Harris strengthened his NFL resume with a productive 2023 season, his third on the Plains. 

The 6-3, 295-pound defensive tackle led Auburn with seven sacks and 11 tackles for loss last fall before entering the 2024 NFL Draft and flashing at the NFL Combine with 27 bench press reps of 225 pounds. 

After starting his college career at Kansas in 2020, the Montgomery, Alabama, native returned to his home state when he transferred to Auburn in 2021.

In three seasons, including the past two as a starter, Harris logged 97 tackles, 11 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss, earning the Great Southern Wood Lineman of the Year Award for his 2023 performance. 


UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTSOL Gunner Britton, Buffalo Bills
OL Avery Jones, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Edge Elijah McAllister, New York Giants (Camp Invite)
DL Mosiah Nasili-Kite, San Francisco 49ers (Camp Invite)
DB Zion Puckett, New York Jets (Camp Invite)
OL Kam Stutts, Baltimore Ravents (Camp Invite)