Auburn Football 2016 NFL Draft Tracker, Analysis and Results

The Auburn Tigers didn't have the kind of season they had hoped for in 2015, but they now have a handful of 2016 NFL draft prospects to show for it. Six Auburn Tigers are projected to get drafted this weekend, and that number could rise to seven if someone selects Cassanova McKinzy, who is projected as an undrafted free agent. 

While we celebrate the accomplishments and futures of these seven prospects, draft season is also a time to look forward to the replacements for this bunch. We will break down each NFL hopeful and also tell you a little bit about the next man up behind each of these players.

Note: This NFL draft tracker will be updated as the players are selected.

Drafted: Round 3, Pick 76 to Cleveland

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 307 lbs

Analysis: The first Auburn player off the board in this draft, Scout.com's Fred Greetham notes that Shon Coleman could possibly be Mitchell Schwartz's replacement in Cleveland. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein calls Coleman a "long, talented run blocker", and it appears that the Browns filled a position of need with a good player. 

Replacement: Robert Leff, a rising senior, will likely be the starter at left tackle this fall, but Bailey Sharp could push for playing time after redshirting in 2015. He is currently listed as the backup to Leff at the left tackle spot, but the offensive line is a work in progress right now after losing 73 combined starts this offseason. 

Drafted: Round 4, Pick 114 to Cleveland

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 215 lbs

Analysis: Louis had a solid career at Auburn, but his draft stock apparently rose since the NFL combine in February. Per Matthew Stevens of Montgomery Advertiser, the Auburn receiver recorded the fourth-fastest 40-yard dash time at 4.43 seconds. He will join Baylor's Corey Coleman in Cleveland, who the Browns drafted in the first round. He and Coleman both provide the Browns with vertical threats down the field.

Replacement: Stanton Truitt was set to contribute last season as Louis' backup before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery. Marcus Davis and Jason Smith project as the other starting receivers, but true freshmen Nate Craig-Myers and Eli Stove could both also push for time, along with others such as Darius Slayton and Ryan Davis. The wide receiver position is unsettled at this point, but there are plenty of options to choose from. 

Drafted: Round 6, Pick 196 to Philadelphia

Height: 5'10"

Weight: 184 lbs

Analysis: After trading Byron Maxwell to the Dolphins, the Eagles needed to draft a corner. Countess played both cornerback and safety for Auburn, so he gives Philadelphia some flexibility when it comes to filling positions. He had two interceptions and was named Auburn's defensive MVP last year, so this is clearly a guy the Eagles can work with and develop. 

Replacement: Carlton Davis had a sensational freshman campaign in 2015, so he will lock down one of the corner spots. John Broussard Jr., Jamal Dean and Javaris Davis will also battle for spots between the two corner positions. Jeremiah Dinson is currently recovering from a leg injury, but he could be a name to watch once he returns. 

Drafted: Undrafted

Height: 5'9"

Weight: 186 lbs 

Analysis: At 5'9" and 186 pounds, Jones isn't the prototypical NFL cornerback. He isn't projected to be an NFL draft pick because of his size, though. He is an experienced player who has good speed (4.33-second 40-yard dash at the combine) and is adept in coverage. Per CBSSports.com, Jones performed well during Senior Bowl practices, showing "sticky coverage" and "staying in phase with receivers." With time, he will make for a solid slot cornerback at the professional level.  

Replacement: Davis will be the cornerback that steps into a larger role after an all-SEC season as a freshman, but the secondary does not feature a lot of depth. After he recorded 56 total tackles and three interceptions a season ago, Auburn will rely on Davis to replicate that success again in 2016.  

Drafted: Undrafted

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 328 lbs 

Analysis: Young started 12 games this past season at right tackle, but in 2014 he played left guard and right guard. That versatility could possibly make him an appealing draft pick in the middle rounds. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote that "Young's athleticism and length are appealing as a guard, but his inability to sustain blocks with body control and power at the point of attack could make him a backup to low­-end starter in the league." He is one of the players who could have benefited from staying in school one more year. If he sits for a couple of years and learns behind veterans, Young could be a solid draft choice because of his experience of playing both guard and tackle.  

Replacement: Darius James and Mike Horton are two candidates to take over at right tackle for Young. James is a transfer from Texas, and he was a 5-star recruit in 2013, per 247Sports, so one has to like his chances to win the job.

Drafted: Undrafted

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 229 lbs

Analysis: Duke Williams is a fascinating prospect because he has first- to second-round potential, but off-the-field issues will likely push him to the mid-rounds of the draft. Per Brandon Marcello of AL.com, Williams was dismissed from Auburn because of an altercation he had with a teammate outside of a bar in October. Williams owned up to his mistakes during predraft interviews, though, saying "I should have learned. He (Malzahn) took a chance on me and I hurt the Auburn family by getting dismissed," per Marcello.

That is why his draft stock has plummeted, but here's why some team is going to get a top-round talent: He has good size and uses it well when the ball is in the air. He isn't the type of guy who will blow a cornerback away on a deep route, but his ball skills make him a dangerous receiving threat. 

Replacement: Tony Stevens is projected to take over this spot, but some of the young players could provide serious competition to the projected starters. Kyle Davis was a highly recruited receiver who has good size, and he will likely make a strong push for playing time this year. 

Drafted: Undrafted

Height: 5'10"

Weight: 228 lbs

Analysis: Barber elected to leave school as a redshirt sophomore, but he is likely to get drafted in one of the mid-rounds because of his size. CBSSports.com recognizes that Barber has "good size and is a strong runner at 225 pounds" while also saying that he is good between the tackles because of his patience. He doesn't have top-level NFL speed, but he can be an efficient NFL back because of his size and ability to wait on holes to open up. 

Replacement: It has been the "next man up" at running back in Malzahn's system, and the Tigers won't lose a beat this fall with their running game. Jovon Robinson, who had a strong showing in the Birmingham Bowl, will battle Roc Thomas and Kerryon Johnson for the starting job. All three were highly recruited players, and all three have the potential to be exceptional in Malzahn's offense.

Drafted: Undrafted

Height: 6'1"

Weight: 248 lbs

Analysis: McKinzy had a productive career for the Auburn Tigers, logging 258 total tackles and 28.5 tackles for loss. Despite the big numbers for an SEC defense, scouts don't foresee a successful transition to the next level. NFL.com reported that McKinzy is a "thumper in the middle who can rock ­and ­roll in collision drills but gets lost when he has to activate athleticism and instincts inside of a game." He is likely going to be signed as a free agent as a special teams contributor, but there could be a team in the last round that takes a chance in hopes of developing him as a linebacker.  

Replacement: The projected starters for Auburn at linebacker are Tre' Williams, Tim Irvin and Darrell Williams. Irvin will likely take over the weak-side position, but he will be pushed by Montravious Atkinson. Darrell Williams looks to hold down the outside linebacker position, while Tre' Williams mans the middle, taking over McKinzy's spot. The whole trio will have to step up in place of the three losses from last season's team.