Auburn Tigers Well Represented Across ESPN’s Top Five NFL Draft Prospects at Multiple Positions for the 2025 Draft

The Auburn Tigers may be gearing up for a pivotal season on the college football field, but when it comes to the NFL Draft landscape, the program is already basking in the national spotlight. According to ESPN’s recent position-by-position rankings of the top five NFL Draft prospects for 2025, multiple Auburn players have cracked elite territory—signaling that Hugh Freeze and his coaching staff are not just rebuilding a competitive team but cultivating one teeming with professional-ready talent.

It’s not often that a single SEC program outside of perennial playoff contenders like Alabama or Georgia places multiple players among ESPN’s top five positional prospects, but Auburn is bucking that trend. From dynamic defensive backs to explosive offensive linemen and versatile edge defenders, the Tigers’ talent pipeline is getting national validation.

Let’s break down the names drawing attention, and why each player’s inclusion matters—not only for their draft stock but also for Auburn’s resurgence as a developmental powerhouse in the SEC.

The biggest highlight of ESPN’s rankings is Auburn’s lockdown cornerback, D.J. James, who not only cracked the top five but is viewed as one of the most technically refined defenders at the position. James, a senior and Mobile, Alabama native, transferred to Auburn from Oregon and has since become a foundational piece in the secondary. ESPN’s scouts praised his fluid hips, man coverage instincts, and ability to mirror top wideouts—traits that translate directly to the next level.

With James likely to match up against the SEC’s top receivers week after week in 2025, scouts believe he has a prime opportunity to cement himself as a Day 1 pick. Auburn has a rich history of producing elite corners, from Carlos Rogers to Jamel Dean, and James is following suit with a game built on speed, intelligence, and scheme versatility.

Behind James, Nehemiah Pritchett is another name drawing attention. Though slightly outside of the top five, Pritchett is receiving consistent top-10 positional buzz, making Auburn’s secondary arguably one of the most NFL-ready units in the conference. The duo brings both experience and athleticism to the table, offering NFL front offices tape that showcases lockdown coverage against some of the toughest competition in college football.

Offensively, one of the Tigers’ biggest risers in the draft conversation is Gunner Britton, the standout offensive tackle who has emerged as a potential top-five player at his position. With offensive line play at a premium in both the college and pro ranks, Britton’s presence on ESPN’s list is a significant endorsement of his growth and potential.

Transferring from Western Kentucky ahead of the 2023 season, Britton brought immediate toughness and consistency to the offensive front. By 2024, he’d become one of the most reliable left tackles in the SEC, showcasing his ability to anchor in pass protection and pull effectively on run plays. His technique, footwork, and punch at the point of attack have earned rave reviews, and scouts appreciate his intelligence both pre- and post-snap.

His return for another year at Auburn in 2025 is not just a win for the Tigers—it’s a calculated move to continue improving his draft stock. ESPN noted his leadership and consistency as traits that will make him an immediate contributor at the next level, particularly for teams in need of blindside protection.

Auburn’s front seven is no stranger to sending disruptors to the NFL, and Jayson Jones, the Tigers’ high-motor edge rusher, is making a name for himself heading into the 2025 season. ESPN’s scouts placed Jones just inside the top five at defensive end, citing his explosiveness off the edge, relentless motor, and improved hand technique as reasons he’s drawing Day 2—possibly Day 1—grades.

Jones led the Tigers in quarterback pressures last season and is returning with a chance to wreak even more havoc in opposing backfields. His combination of size, speed, and strength has reminded scouts of past Auburn greats like Dee Ford and Carl Lawson. What makes him even more intriguing to pro scouts is his ability to play in both 3-4 and 4-3 defensive schemes, adding scheme versatility to his value.

With another year to hone his skills and a high-profile slate of SEC opponents on the calendar, Jones could elevate himself even further on draft boards. If he can convert more pressures into sacks this season, there’s no question his name will be among the first 50 called in April.

The fact that ESPN has recognized multiple Auburn players across various position groups speaks to a broader theme: Auburn football is quickly re-establishing itself as a legitimate NFL development factory. For head coach Hugh Freeze, this is a critical moment in the program’s evolution. After years of inconsistency post-Gus Malzahn, the Tigers appear poised not just for SEC competitiveness, but for sustained national relevance.

Freeze has emphasized player development since his arrival on the Plains, and the early returns are encouraging. Players like James, Britton, and Jones didn’t start as guaranteed first-rounders—but their progression under the current staff has reshaped their outlook entirely. That bodes well not only for NFL scouts, but also for future recruits who now see Auburn as a legitimate launchpad to professional football.

Auburn’s representation on ESPN’s top five lists is also a strong endorsement of the program’s talent evaluation—especially in the transfer portal era. Britton and James, both transfers, flourished in Auburn’s system. This speaks volumes about the coaching staff’s ability to identify and maximize talent, something that separates good programs from elite ones.

With the current NIL and transfer portal landscape making retention a challenge, Auburn has managed to convince its top talents to stay and develop. In the modern era of college football, that’s no small feat. It demonstrates the alignment between coaching, culture, and opportunity—a trifecta that is paying dividends in the form of national recognition.

While these projections are great for individual players, they also highlight how competitive Auburn could be in the 2025 campaign. With NFL-level talent on both sides of the ball, the Tigers have the foundational pieces needed to make a real run in the SEC. Defensive backs who can shut down half the field. Linemen who can protect a quarterback or blow open holes in the run game. Edge rushers who demand double-teams. This is the recipe for high-level football success.

Whether it’s stifling Alabama’s passing attack in the Iron Bowl or controlling the trenches against Georgia, Auburn’s top draft prospects will have their say in the biggest moments. And with ESPN shining a spotlight on their potential, those moments will be watched closely by scouts, analysts, and front offices alike.

Auburn’s strong presence in ESPN’s top five positional rankings is more than just a preseason pat on the back—it’s a statement of intent. The Tigers are no longer just trying to rebuild; they’re trying to rise. The names may be different, but the formula is familiar: develop elite talent, win games, and send players to the NFL.

With D.J. James locking down wide receivers, Gunner Britton anchoring the line, and Jayson Jones terrorizing quarterbacks, the Tigers are putting the rest of the country on notice. Auburn isn’t just back—they’re dangerous. And when the NFL comes calling next April, don’t be surprised if multiple Auburn hats are on that draft stage.