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Auburn Football: 5 reasons the Tigers will struggle in 2017

By Andrew Miller

AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 17: Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn walks the field before an NCAA college football game against the Texas A
AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 17: Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn walks the field before an NCAA college football game against the Texas A /
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TUSCALOOSA, AL – NOVEMBER 26: O.J. Howard #88 of the Alabama Crimson Tide is upended by Tray Matthews #28 of the Auburn Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, AL – NOVEMBER 26: O.J. Howard #88 of the Alabama Crimson Tide is upended by Tray Matthews #28 of the Auburn Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

5. Safety depth is concerning

Auburn has a few NFL caliber players in their secondary. Tray Matthews is a rock at strong safety and Stephen Roberts locks down the free safety spot. Senior safety Nick Ruffin will rotate in for Matthews and Roberts.

Behind Ruffin there is little depth for second-year defensive coordinator Kevin Steele. Reports indicate that sophomores Jeremiah Dinson and Javaris Davis could rotate in at safety as well. Both Davis and Dinson are corners primarily.

The cornerbacks should be much better off than the safeties. Junior Carlton Davis leads a young and talented group that features potential breakout candidates such as Jamel Dean. Dinson and Javaris Davis are projected starters.

As long as Auburn staves off the injury bug in the secondary they should be fine at safety. A few injuries to their starters would cause havoc.

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