Jamel Dean hauled in his first interception of the season and set a Steelers’ franchise record in the team’s overtime win against the Buccaneers, highlighting a week full of standout performances by former Tigers.
That and more in this week’s Auburn Made NFL rundown.
Derrick Brown, DL, Carolina Panthers
Brown anchored the Panthers’ defensive line in a road win against the Eagles, tallying two tackles, two quarterback hits, and a pass defended. The former first-round pick and 2023 Pro Bowler ranks 10th all-time among former Tigers in passes defended (32) and sits second in passes defended among defensive linemen since entering the league. The 2019 unanimous All-American continues to be a stalwart for the Panthers defense in his seventh season for the franchise.
Daniel Carlson, K, New Orleans Saints
Carlson played a major role in the Saints’ win over the Giants as he connected on field goal attempts of 58 and 51 yards, marking his 39th and 40th career field goals of 50 or more yards, and converted all four extra point tries in a 34-27 win. The 2022 first-team All-Pro remains one of the steadiest options at the position, as he ranks 14th all-time in career field goal percentage (86.25%) and has made the third most field goals (232) since entering the league in 2018.
Jamel Dean, CB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Dean had a historic day for the Steelers in a 26-19 overtime win against the Buccaneers as the former Buc nabbed an interception with 1:46 remaining in the fourth quarter and returned it 40 yards to set up a go-ahead field goal. To go along with the interception, Dean recorded a career-high and franchise-record six passes defended, a mark that former Tiger Roger McCreary achieved in last week’s action. The pair are the only two players in the league this season to record six passes defended and both set new franchise records in the category. Dean’s interception marked the 12th of his NFL career, and he now leads active Tigers in that category, just ahead of Carlton Davis III and Jonathan Jones with 11 career interceptions apiece. Through six weeks, Dean ranks second among NFL corners in overall PFF grade (86.2) and fifth in coverage grade (81.7).
KeAndre Lambert-Smith, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
Lambert-Smith saw action for the first time since week one for the Chargers, tallying five receptions for 32 yards against the Chiefs. Both totals were new career highs for the former fifth-round pick, who also logged a career-high 60 snaps in week six. Lambert-Smith missed action early in the season due to a hamstring injury and will look to build momentum after this week’s performance.
Jamien Sherwood, LB, New York Jets
Sherwood was all over the field in a week six battle between the Jets and Patriots. The former fifth-round pick had one of the most impactful games of his career thus far, recording 11 total tackles along with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery that gave the Jets two extra offensive possessions in the second half. The forced fumble was the second of the season for Sherwood, already marking a new career high, while the fumble recovery was the first of his six-year career. The game marked his 17th double-digit tackle performance in the last three seasons, including his second this year.
Colby Wooden, DT, New Orleans Saints
Wooden made a crucial play for the Saints defense late in the game, as the former fourth-round pick recorded his first full sack as a pro with 2:56 remaining in the fourth quarter in Saints territory. The drive ultimately ended in a Giants field goal, and the Saints were able to make another defensive stand to seal a 34-27 victory on the road. The sack also marked the 100th career tackle for Wooden, joining a list of 47 former Tigers who have reached triple-digit tackles in the NFL.
Jeremiah Wright, OL, New Orleans Saints
Wright made his NFL offensive debut, filling in at right guard for the Saints, and the 2026 fourth-round pick made it a memorable one. Behind Wright and the offensive line, the Saints rushed for a season-high 175 yards in their road victory over the Giants. It also marked the highest team rushing total for the Saints since week four of the 2025 season. Wright is one of four former Tigers to make their NFL debuts in the 2026 season, joining Keldric Faulk, Bobby Jamison-Travis and Mason Murphy.
Other Tigers in the NFL
Carlton Davis III, CB, New England Patriots
Keldric Faulk, DE, Tennessee Titans
Derick Hall, LB, Seattle Seahawks
Josh Harris, LS, Los Angeles Chargers
Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Cleveland Browns
Bobby Jamison-Travis, DL, New York Giants
Jonathan Jones, CB, Philadelphia Eagles
Eku Leota, OLB, Arizona Cardinals
Connor Lew, OL, Cincinnati Bengals
Roger McCreary, CB, Detroit Lions
Jalen McLeod, LB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Mason Murphy, OL, New Orleans Saints
Bo Nix*, QB, Denver Broncos
J.J. Pegues*, DL Las Vegas Raiders
Nehemiah Pritchett, CB, Seattle Seahawks
Jaylin Simpson, S, Miami Dolphins
Braden Smith, OL, Houston Texans
Jarrett Stidham, QB, Denver Broncos
Daniel Thomas, S, Cleveland Browns
Malik Willis*, QB, Miami Dolphins
DNP (Injured Reserve)
Tank Bigsby, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Keyron Crawford, DE, Las Vegas Raiders
Jack Driscoll, OL, Pittsburgh Steelers
Dorian Mausi, LB, Tennessee Titans
Jahquez Robinson, S, Baltimore Ravens
Practice Squad
Eugene Asante, LB, Arizona Cardinals
K.J. Britt, LB, New England Patriots
Byron Cowart*, DT, Washington Commanders
Marcus Harris, DT, Kansas City Chiefs
Jarquez Hunter, RB, New Orleans Saints
Shedrick Jackson, WR, Arizona Cardinals
Jayson Jones, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Carl Lawson, DE, Indianapolis Colts
Dillon Wade, OL, Green Bay Packers
Kilian Zierer, OT, Jacksonville Jaguars
*Completed eligibility at another institution