Expert projections for Auburn Tigers’ 2025 NFL Draft hopefuls: Will Damari Alston, Jarquez Hunter, and KeAndre Lambert-Smith break out?

The Auburn Tigers had five players selected in last year‘s draft, and all were chosen on the final day. Presently seven players on their depth chart have draftable grades on my board, and once again, all are last-day prospects.

Auburn Tigers' NFL Draft 2025 Preview

#1 Damari Alston & Jarquez Hunter

The offense has a two-headed monster at running back in junior Damari Alston and senior Jarquez Hunter, with the latter receiving middle-round grades from scouts.

Hunter is a tough, grind-it-out ball carrier with excellent vision. Yet at 209 pounds with marginal speed, he’s a bit one-dimensional and comes with limited upside.

Alston is slightly smaller but much quicker, more creative, and much more versatile, which is key in the NFL these days.

#2 KeAndre Lambert-Smith

A rift between the coaching staff and KeAndre Lambert-Smith led to the receiver transferring from Penn State to Auburn, which is slightly surprising considering the quarterback situation at PSU.

Lambert-Smith has decent size and a large amount of athleticism. And while he makes some outstanding catches, Lambert-Smith also disappears on occasion and leaves scouts feeling he is capable of much more. He has an upside, but he must focus on football and consistently play to a high level.

#3 Dillon Wade

I am in the minority with my draftable grade on Dillon Wade, as every scout I’ve spoken with grades the senior as a PFA. So why the disparity? Wade played left tackle at Auburn last season, and though he’s mobile and athletic, he was hammered on more than one occasion.

He’s moving in to guard this season, a more natural position for him, and I believe Wade will flourish as a zone blocker at his new spot. There is always a market for that type of offensive lineman come draft weekend.

Auburn Tigers' 2025 NFL Draft projections by Tony Pauline

Auburn Pro Prospects
Grade	Rnd	Pos	Full Name	Yr	#
3.48	5th	RB	Damari Alston	3Jr	22
3.45	5th	WR	KeAndre Lambert-Smith	5Sr	1
3.39	5-6	G	Dillon Wade	4Sr	52
3.38	6th	ILB	Eugene Asante	5Sr	9
3.35	6th	CB	Keionte Scott	5Sr	6
3.33	6th	RB	Jarquez Hunter	4Sr	27
3.32	6th	OLB	Jalen McLeod	5Sr	35
3.13	FA	WR	Robert Lewis	5Sr	1
3.12	FA	TE	Rivaldo Fairweather	4Sr	13
3.05	FA	QB	Payton Thorne	6Sr	10
3.02	FA	ILB	Austin Keys	5Sr	6
3.00	FA	WR	Koy Moore	4Sr	0
2.85	FA	RB	Brian Battie	4Sr	21
2.83	FA	DT	Philip Blidi		96
2.65	FA	TE	Luke Deal	5Sr	86

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