Auburn Football: 5 bold predictions for the 2017 season

4. Auburn will have eight players selected in the 2018 NFL draft

In the 2017 NFL draft, Auburn fans saw four former Tigers joining the ranks of the NFL, including standout defensive linemen Carl Lawson and Montarious Adams. The 2018 draft could be even more loaded with Auburn talent.

The team currently has 15 starters who will be draft eligible following the 2017 season, with a few of players, like junior defensive lineman Dontavius Russell, expected to be drifted high. While this is bad for the team’s depth chart it’s great for recruiting.

An important factor for elite recruits considering any school is the team’s ability to deliver players into NFL. If Auburn sees eight players drafted in the 2018 draft recruits will surely take notice. Currently, Auburn’s 2018 recruiting class is ranked 23rd in the nation by 247sports, but this ranking could start to rise if the team delivers another quality season under head coach Gus Malzahn.

Players like Dontavius Russell, Kamryn Pettway and Jarrett Stidham are expected to have hugely productive 2017 seasons, which could translate into serious NFL hype. As many as 8 Auburn players could hear their names called in Philadelphia at the 2018 NFL draft, a truly impressive feat, especially when considering the majority of these players committed to Auburn following the team’s 3-9 during the season in 2012.