With the next pick: Auburn Edge Keyron CrawfordWith the next pick: Auburn Edge Keyron Crawford

With the next pick: Auburn Edge Keyron Crawford

by Jeff Shearer

AUBURN, Ala. – Proficient at pass rushing, a skill all 32 NFL teams covet, former Auburn standout Keyron Crawford made a favorable impression during the buildup to the 2026 NFL Draft. 

“They love me as a person, most importantly,” he said. “The second part is they love me as a player, mindset-wise, what I bring to the table, my mentality and how much I can contribute in that next level. They’re able to see who I am, how my mind works.”

The 6-foot-4 3/8 inch, 253-pound edge played two seasons on the Plains after transferring from Arkansas State. After a productive junior year in 2024, Crawford developed into an NFL prospect last season, ranking fourth in the SEC with 43 quarterback pressures. 

“A dog,” he said. “Someone who is disciplined, whose ceiling hasn’t been reached completely. It’s a step-by-step process as far as my learning and me elevating as a player. My growth is still improving. My ceiling is yet to come.”

Crawford started all 12 games last season, ranking second on the Tigers with five sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss. 

“You face the best of the best in the SEC,” he said. “In the NFL, you’re also going to face the best of the best. You’re going to win, you’re going to lose, but it’s all about getting back up.”

From Crawford’s time at Auburn, one memory stands out.

“Running out in Jordan-Hare Stadium,” he said. “That’s one of the most electrifying stadiums I ever played in. That’s unreal.”

A late bloomer, Crawford played only one season of high school football, giving NFL personnel reason to believe he still has room to develop.

“I feel like I would fit in wherever,” he said. “I feel like I’m a great soul, I’m a good person, bring a lot of energy. I’m goofy, playful, but I’m also a very genuine person so wherever a genuine organization is, they will find me.”

FootballAUBURN, AL - March 23, 2026 - Former Auburn Defensive End Keyron Crawford poses during a photoshoot before Pro Day at the Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, AL. Photo by Austin Perryman

NFL Combine / Pro Day

40-Yard DashN/A
Vertical JumpN/A
Broad JumpN/A
Bench PressN/A

Draft Analysis

A one-year starter at Auburn (and two-year starter overall), Crawford played the “Buck” edge defender role (mostly stand-up) in former defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin’s hybrid front. After two seasons at Arkansas State, he was a backup for the Tigers in 2024 before emerging in 2025 as one of the more disruptive players in the SEC. Despite rushing the passer on just 39.1 percent of his snaps, he notched a pressure on 17.8 percent of his pass-rush snaps in 2025 (No. 4 in the SEC and No. 12 in the FBS).

NFL scouts focused this past fall on the Auburn defensive line to see Keldric Faulk — and left buzzing about Crawford. He explodes off the ball with purpose and a growing repertoire of pass-rush moves. He lacks ideal length and lower-body power, and he feels undersized at times on tape, especially once bigger bodies latch onto him. But his effort consistently pops as a pass rusher, run defender and dropper.

Grade: 2nd-3rd Round

- Dane Brugler, The Athletic

FootballAUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 13 - Auburn buck Keyron Crawford (24) - #24 Auburn Tigers vs. South Alabama Jaguars at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, AL on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. Photo by Zach Bland/Auburn Tigers

Signature Moment

Crawford excelled in Auburn’s 31-15 Homecoming win over South Alabama last September, making his first career interception along with two tackles for loss among his five tackles.

“Doing my job and being where the ball was,” Crawford said. “Once I saw it come out, I thought let me just get on the ball, let me take it down. I feel like I made my coach proud and was making a statement for our defense.”

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer