Where analysts project Auburn football players to be picked in 2023 NFL Draft

AUBURN — Auburn football had a disappointing season in 2022, but that didn't hold a few players back from standing out individually.

From Tank Bigsby nearly rushing for 1,000 yards to Derick Hall logging 60 total tackles and 6.5 sacks, a handful of Tigers have done enough over their Auburn careers to be picked in the 2023 NFL Draft, at least according to some analysts.

Here's a look at where various outlets are projecting a few former Tigers to get selected. The first round of the draft is set for Thursday (7 p.m. CT, ESPN), with rounds 2-3 coming Friday (6 p.m. CT, ESPN) and the final day of the draft scheduled for Saturday (11 a.m. CT, ESPN).

KEEPING TABS: Auburn football transfer portal tracker: Here's who Tigers added, lost in second window

BY THE NUMBERS: Hugh Freeze contract released: How much will Auburn football coach make?

BRIAN BATTIE: Father of Auburn football RB describes son's progress despite injury

ESPN (Matt Miller)

Most reputable analysts have four Auburn players getting drafted: Hall, Bigsby, defensive lineman Colby Wooden and linebacker Owen Pappoe. In his latest mock draft released Monday, ESPN's Matt Miller has Hall coming off the board first to the Detroit Lions with the 55th pick.

Bigsby is paired with the Denver Broncos at pick No. 108, with Wooden coming in two picks later to the Atlanta Falcons at No. 110. Miller then has Pappoe slated to join the San Francisco 49ers, who he has projected to add the linebacker with the 164th pick.

CBS Sports (Chris Trapasso)

Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports views Auburn's talent a bit more favorably, as all four of the expected draftees are projected to go in top 100, according to his 7-round mock draft that dropped Friday.

Hall is again the first taken, this time by the Philadelphia Eagles with the No. 62 selection. Behind him is Wooden at No. 71 to the Buffalo Bills and Pappoe at No. 77 to the Los Angeles Rams. Trapasso has Bigsby going at No. 99 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who already have KJ Britt, Carlton Davis III and Jamal Dean representing Auburn on their roster.

The Athletic (Dane Brugler)

The Athletic's Dane Brugler has the same four Tigers getting drafted, but in a different order. Brugler agrees Hall will be the first former Tiger taken, as he has the pass rusher going to the Chicago Bears with the 64th pick in a mock draft released April 17.

But Brugler has Bigsby off the board next, picked by the Los Angeles Rams with the 77th overall selection. Wooden sneaks into the top 100 with the Las Vegas Raiders, and Pappoe rounds out the group at No. 143 to the New York Jets.

Other Tigers to watch

Although not in any of the predictions, pro day partipants like wide receiver Shedrick Jackson, who ran an unofficial 4.25 in the 40-yard dash on March 21, and tight end John Samuel Shenker could sneak into the back end of the draft, along with defensive linemen Marcus Bragg and Marquis Burks and kicker Anders Carlson.

Pass rusher Eku Leota is another to keep an eye on, as he was one of six Tigers to receive an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine. In the event these players don't get picked, they'll likely garner some attention as undrafted free agents.

Richard Silva is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at rsilva@gannett.com or on Twitter @rich_silva18.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: 2023 NFL Draft projections for Auburn football players