While Auburn wasn’t quite known for their offensive output in 2021, their defense was stellar. As such, their defensive prospects headline the Auburn scouting reports ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft. A pair of secondary members, Roger McCreary and Smoke Monday, are the headliners — but just a couple of the mainstays — from a talented Auburn roster.
Auburn 2022 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
McCreary and Monday hail from the secondary, while Chandler Wooten and Zakoby McClain showcase just how talented this Auburn defense was at all three levels.
Brodarious Hamm, OT
Positives: Large, long-armed offensive tackle who easily controls defenders once he gets his hands on them. Big-bodied blocker who is patient in pass protection, explosive at the point, and works to block with knee bend. Stays square and easily seals defenders from the action.
Negatives: Cannot slide in space. Overextends into blocks.
Analysis: Hamm was a wide-bodied college tackle and an overwhelming force once he got his hands on defenders. He lacks athleticism as well as range, but his size, strength, and long arms could help him grasp a roster spot as a backup right tackle or guard.
Chandler Wooten, LB
Positives: Underrated linebacker who was very productive against the run in college. Explosive and fires up the field to defend the run. Drives his shoulders through ball handlers and looks to punish opponents. Quick, possesses a closing burst, and sells out. Remains disciplined with assignments and quickly diagnoses the action. Breaks down well and uses his hands to protect himself.
Negatives: Lacks great long speed. Marginally effective in pursuit. At times, does too much hitting rather than wrap-up tackling and allows ball carriers to pick up yardage off initial contact.
Analysis: Wooten was a solid run-defending linebacker for Auburn and is best playing downhill. He lacks top size and speed and will have to make a name for himself on special teams this summer.
Demetris Robertson, WR
Positives: Well-built receiver who flashes ability. Stays low exiting breaks, adjusts to errant throws, and makes receptions in stride. Displays a burst of deep speed, uses the sidelines well, and is effective when he extends his hands to make the reception away from his frame.
Negatives: Does not display a sense of timing, lets the pass get inside him, and drops catchable throws. Struggles tracking the ball in the deep field. Rounds off routes.
Analysis: Robertson possesses the physical ability to play at the next level. However, he has an unpolished game and must improve every aspect of his position.
Roger McCreary, CB
Positives: Polished cornerback with outstanding instincts and ball skills. Plays with great awareness, knows where he is on the field, and does a great job communicating with teammates in the secondary. Plays faster than his 40 time, runs downfield with opponents, and consistently positions himself against receivers to make plays on the ball.
Tracks the pass in the air, displays an outstanding move to the throw, and possesses a quick closing burst. Fluid pedaling in reverse, smooth flipping his hips, and explodes out of his plant to get to the action. Patient, effectively times pass defenses, and does not have mental lapses on the field. Forceful on the blitz and gives effort against the run.
Negatives: Not a big-bodied cornerback and has short arms. Lacks a second gear.
Analysis: McCreary is a talented cornerback with next-level ball skills who consistently played smart, tough football. He played very well against Alabama last season and helped shut down Crimson Tide receiver Jameson Williams. He’s a polished prospect who could start at nickelback or as a No. 2 cornerback in certain schemes.
Smoke Monday, S
Positives: Hard-hitting safety with nice size who is best playing between the numbers. Fires up the field to defend the run and is effective when he wraps up tackling. Takes proper angles to the play, works hard to get involved, and possesses a quick closing burst. Displays solid range and keeps the action in front of him.
Negatives: Possesses average ball skills and struggles in man-coverage situations. Not a stout tackler.
Analysis: Monday is a talented prospect who showed a lot of inconsistency on the field. He possesses the size and speed to be used at strong safety or in a zone system, but Monday must consistently play at a high level to make an NFL roster.
Zakoby McClain, LB
Positives: Undersized, explosive linebacker who sells out to make plays. Patient, quickly diagnoses the action, and fires upfield between gaps. Explosive, effectively uses his hands to disengage from opponents, and breaks down well. Outstanding in pursuit, covers a lot of area on the field, and has an explosive closing burst. Fluid moving laterally, gets depth on pass drops, and stays with assignments. Hard-hitting and drives his shoulders through ball handlers. Redirects to the action and makes the tackle in space.
Negatives: Lacks size and needs a free shot at the ball handler. Gets caught up in blocks. Medical red flags must be checked out.
Analysis: McClain is an outstanding run-and-chase linebacker who gets the most from his ability and sells out to make plays. McClain possesses size as well as growth limitations but would be a nice fit on the inside of a 3-4 alignment.