Which NFL Team has the most Auburn players on its 2025 preseason roster?
NFL training camp is underway, and many former Auburn Tigers are looking to make a splash.
Some aim to continue their stellar careers, while others are looking to break through as first-year professional players. One of those looking to make his way onto the depth chart is former Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL draft. Hunter logged 1,201 yards last season in year two of being the Tigers' premier back, and is looking to showcase his talents in the NFL during his rookie campaign.
Earlier this month, during OTAs, Rams running backs coach Ron Gould pointed out that Hunter can make opposing defenses pay in two ways.
"His superpower is his speed, he's really fast," Gould said in an interview with TheRams.com. "And then the second thing is, if you get the pads on you, he's a heavier guy, he's a guy who can go north and south, and he's a guy who's gonna be able to come out of a lot of tackles."
Hunter, however, is the lone former Tiger currently on the Rams' roster. Which team has the most former Tigers? Here's a breakdown as the NFL preseason gets underway.
Minnesota Vikings
If you are looking for an NFL team to support this season, the Minnesota Vikings are a worthy candidate as four former Tigers are on their training camp roster. All four players were on Auburn's 2024 roster, with linebackers Dorian Mausi and Austin Keys headlining the charge. Punter Oscar Chapman and wide receiver Robert Lewis are also going through preseason work with the Vikings.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Former Auburn EDGE rusher Jalen McLeod joins veterans Daniel Thomas and Tank Bigsby in Jacksonville for training camp. McLeod was drafted in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL draft by the Jaguars and is paving the way for Keldric Faulk to be the next EDGE that Auburn will send to the league.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders currently house three former Tigers: Daniel Carlson, Shedrick Jackson, and Seth Williams. Williams recently signed with the Raiders after a successful stint in the UFL with the DC Defenders. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 2021 NFL draft, and he also spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars before moving to the UFL.
Seattle Seahawks
Derrick Hall is back with Seattle after posting 64 tackles and eight sacks in two seasons with the Seahawks. Hall broke out last season by making 35 tackles and eight sacks in 17 games. He will be joined by cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett and defensive lineman Justin Rogers for training camp in the Pacific Northwest.
Tennessee Titans
A pair of 2024 defensive linemen joined the Titans roster to give Auburn more "local" representation. Philip Blidi and Isaiah Raikes are going through preseason workouts in Tennessee this year, joining former Auburn cornerback Roger McCreary, who was Auburn's lone draft pick in 2022.
Teams with two Tigers
There are a few teams that have two former Auburn players this preseason: Los Angeles Chargers, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Washington Commanders. Several notable players in this category include Noah Igbinoghene with the Commanders, Jamel Dean with the Buccaneers, and Carlton Davis with the Patriots.
Teams with one Tiger
Auburn's representation in the NFL is widespread thanks to teams having at least one former player on their rosters. Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, and Pittsburgh Steelers fit in this category. Several players of note that fit in this are Panthers' defensive tackle Derrick Brown, Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham, Colts offensive lineman Braden Smith, and Rams running back Jarquez Hunter.
Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
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USA Today
11 minutes ago
- USA Today
Is Tigers' bullpen good enough for World Series run? These stats say yes
Many of the Detroit Tigers' greatest teams have featured tremendous relief corps. The 1968 World Series-winning Tigers got a 2.26 ERA from their relievers – the second-best bullpen ERA in franchise history (at least since ERA became an official stat in 1913) and tops in the American League that season – behind a 1.49 mark from second-year swingman Pat Dobson in 60⅓ innings and a 2.32 ERA from John Hiller (in 50⅓ innings). Even lefty ace Mickey Lolich got into the act, with a 1.59 ERA in 17 innings over seven relief appearances. The 1984 World Series-winning Tigers likewise led the AL with their 2.74 ERA (fourth-best in franchise history) behind, of course, left-hander Willie Hernandez (1.92 ERA in 140⅓ innings en route to the AL Cy Young Award) and right-hander Aurelio López (2.94 ERA in 137⅔ innings). Even the 2006 Tigers, who made the World Series with a frisky 3.55 bullpen ERA – second in the AL that year – behind rookie Joel Zumaya's electric 1.94 ERA in 80⅓ innings, could point to the 'pen as a strength. And then you have the 2025 Tigers. TWO OF A KIND: Best thing about Detroit Tigers' closers? Kyle Finnegan, Will Vest put team first Look, there are still 36 games left this season to change the narrative, starting with the Tigers' game against the Houston Astros on Monday, Aug. 18. But the bullpen has been, well … <'Not Great – at least by ERA. Despite a nearly flawless road trip, Tigers relievers enter those final 36 games with a 4.04 ERA, good for 17th out of 30 MLB teams. That's still ahead of four likely postseason contenders: the Toronto Blue Jays (18th at 4.07), the LA Dodgers (20th, at 4.19), the New York Yankees (21st at 4.21) and the Philadelphia Phillies (22nd at 4.23 – a Dave Dombrowski bullpen ranking in the bottom 10? I'm shocked!). But it's not exactly reassuring, either. Potential ALDS (or wild-card round) opponent Boston (third overall, at 3.44), Seattle (seventh, at 3.66) and Houston (10th, at 3.75) all loom in MLB's top 10 for bullpen ERA. So, you might ask: Is the Tigers' bullpen strong enough to make a World Series run? Again, there are still plenty of games to play, and plenty of chances for the Tigers to clean up their statistical résumé before the postseason. After all, when I started compiling the numbers for this piece, before the Tigers' loss to the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, Aug. 12, the Tigers bullpen had a 4.16 ERA, which ranked 19th. At the end of that game, after Tigers relievers allowed three earned runs in 3⅔ innings (did we mention 'P. U.?'), that ERA was up to 4.18 – still 19th in MLB, imperceptibly ahead of Miami's 4.18 by a lone extra out. But since then? Eight Tigers relievers have appeared and not allowed an earned run, over a 16-inning span, to drop the Tigers' bullpen ERA to 4.04. (Left-hander Tyler Holton is the only Tigers reliever to allow a run at all since Tuesday; it scored on his own catching error in the win over the Minnesota Twins on Saturday, Aug. 16.) That ERA is still in the bottom half of the majors – the league average for relievers is 4.09 after Sunday's games – but still more than a tenth of a run better than it was, and much closer to No. 16 Cincinnati (3.96) than still-No. 19 Miami (4.13). The answer to the Tigers' bullpen issues is clear: They should hire me to write about said relievers full-time. But barring that … well, Tigers relievers are probably going to give up runs again sometime this season, and probably in bunches. This is the nature of baseball: Even the greatest bullpen in MLB's wild-card era – the 2003 LA Dodgers, led by closer, French-Canadian and eventual National League Cy Young winner Eric Gagné – got shelled at times. Those Dodgers posted a 2.46 bullpen ERA over the full season, but had a bullpen ERA (3.55) more than a run higher over their final 36 games. (Well, not Gagné – his ERA over the final 36 was 0.00; he gave up his final earned run that season in Game 125, on Aug. 20, then made 15 more appearances.) Of course, those Dodgers didn't even make the postseason; they finished seventh in an NL that only sent four teams to the playoffs at the time. The Tigers, meanwhile, seem all but incapable of missing the postseason, with playoff odds that range from 98.5%-99.6%. We can argue, thus, that theirs is a bullpen strong enough, at least, for postseason play. But is it strong enough to carry them into the World Series – and perhaps to the franchise's first title since 1984? We won't go back that far, but let's check out how they compare to the previous 20 World Series champs and runners-up – 40 pennant winners in all – in three key categories. (All stats through Sunday's games.) ERA? Not great! The Tigers' 4.04 bullpen ERA is well off the average ERA of our 40 pennant winners, which came in at 3.65. Series winners averaged a 3.61 bullpen ERA, while series losers averaged a 3.69 ERA. Even within their own seasons, pennant winners tended to have top-10 bullpens; their average rank was 10.2 – another knock on the No. 17 Tigers. Of course, within any group there will always be outliers – the ones that make you feel a bit better about the Tigers' chances – and that's certainly true here. While the Tigers' 4.04 mark would be better than just four of the past 20 World Series winners, one such team they have the edge on should be fairly easy to remember: The 2023 Texas Rangers, who took a gaudy 4.77 ERA (24th that season) into the postseason before riding a hot offense and a marginally improved bullpen (4.08 postseason ERA) to a crown. Of course, they also faced one of the worst bullpens from a World Series loser, as the Arizona Diamondbacks took a 4.22 bullpen ERA into the playoffs. Two other Series winners should be pretty familiar to at least one Tiger: Manager A.J. Hinch, who won the 2017 World Series with the Astros despite the third-worst bullpen ERA of the past 20 champs. Those 'Stros had a 4.27 mark which ranked 17th that season, far worse than their opponent in the Series, the Dodgers, at 3.38 and fourth in the majors. Then there was Hinch's final season in Houston, which ended with a loss to the worst pennant-winning bullpen of the past 20 seasons: The 2019 Washington Nationals, who in 500⅔ innings had a 5.68 ERA – ranking 29th, half a run worse than No. 28 Colorado. If your pitchers are worse than the Rockies' crew in any season, you've really hit a new low. And yet, in the World Series, the Nats bullpen got it to a manageable 4.03 ERA to take the Series in seven games. Actually, those Nats had the worst championship bullpen – ever. That 5.68 regular-season ERA was more than half a run worse than the next worse squad, the 1987 Twins (5.11). (The '87 Twins, of course, used just four relievers in the ALCS – accounting for a 2.25 ERA over 16 innings – to beat the Tigers en route to their Series win.) Other notably woeful Series winning bullpens: The 1935 Tigers, who had a 4.04 ERA (though that ranked fifth among 16 teams) ahead of the franchise's first World Series title, and the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals, whose bullpen had a 4.06 ERA (14th in the majors) during the regular season then posted a 1.00 ERA in nine innings of a five-game World Series victory over the Tigers. Then again, ERA isn't always the greatest measure of bullpen production. There's also … Save percentage? Getting better! A run given up by a reliever in the sixth inning of a blowout loss can mean a lot less than one by a closer in the ninth inning of a nail-biter. The good news for the Tigers: They've been among MLB's best this season at closing the door on close wins, once they get the lead. Tigers relievers have converted 68% (34-for-50) of save situations, sixth out of 30 teams in 2025. That mark would put the Tigers 25th among our 40 pennant winners, whose average save percentage was 69.2%. But just two of the past eight World Series winners have had a better save percentage – the 2022 Astros, at 76.8% and the 2018 Red Sox, at 69.7%. And, of course, both the Tigers' 2006 and '12 Series losers had better save percentages than the current iteration: The '06 Tigers entered the postseason having converted 74.2% of their save chances, only to lose to a Cards team at 66.7%, while the '12 Tigers hit the playoffs at 71.4% before falling to the 2012 Giants at 79.1%. Those closers are the stars, though. They (generally) can't get their saves if the guys in the middle didn't pick up the starters (and their fellow relievers) beforehand. And so we have one final stat to examine. Celebrate 125 seasons of the Tigers with our new book! Odds and evens Mark your calendars Closing time Inherited runners? Lock 'em down! The entire goal of pitching, of course, is to prevent runs, and that includes the ones on base when relievers enter. And by one measure, the Tigers are among MLB's best; just 27.4% of Tigers relievers' inherited runners – 52 of 190 – have scored in 2025, good for sixth in the majors, and well under the league average of 31.6%. (Your top Tiger at not allowing runners to score, among the seven with at least 10 inherited runners? Right-hander Tommy Kahnle, at just two of 20.) That 27.4% is better than each of the past nine World Series winners – including, you could probably guess, the woeful 2019 Nationals relievers, who allowed 41.6% of inherited runners to score in the regular season, then just two of nine (22.2%) in the Series against the 'Stros (sorry, A.J.) – while all 20 Series winners averaged 30%. Of note in our 40-pennant group: Both the Tigers' 2006 and '12 Series losers had worse inherited-runner-score percentages than the current iteration, with the '06 Tigers checking in at a 37.4% that's second-worst among all 40. The '12 squad, meanwhile, hit the postseason at 31.1% and then allowed just two of nine inherited runners to score in their four-game sweep by the Giants. All of which brings us back to our big question: Is the Tigers' bullpen good enough for the World Series? Well, we probably don't know right now – and we might not know until November, either.
Newsweek
12 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Bengals and Trey Hendrickson Contract Standoff Receives Major Update
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Cincinnati Bengals and Trey Hendrickson continue to have stalled contract talks. Though there was hope that Hendrickson's return to practice would help to ignite those talks, both parties remain at an impasse. More news: Former NFL Pro Bowler Shares Bold Shedeur Sanders Browns Prediction In fact, it was recently reported that the Bengals would listen to trade offers regarding Hendrickson due to those contract talks stalling. The good news for the team and fans is that there has been no movement on trades just yet. It could be that the Bengals are seeking an impact player and top draft pick, which many teams might not be willing to let go. However, it could also be that the organization is being stubborn on one important aspect of the contract. According to the telecast, when the Bengals took on the Washington Commanders, a new update was revealed regarding the contract standoff. From the MNF broadcast: ESPN's @LauraRutledge spoke to Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson and Hendrickson reiterated some main points: -- Hold-up on deal is about guaranteed money -- Two sides agree on the years and average annual salary -- No progress on deal or trades — Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) August 19, 2025 Laura Rutledge was speaking on the telecast when she revealed that there had been significant movement on the contract. Apparently, Hendrickson and the Bengals have agreed on the years of the deal and annual salary. The big hold up is regarding guaranteed money. This makes sense as the guaranteed money for a contract is generally the most important aspect of any new deal. Hendrickson, 30, is coming off back-to-back seasons with exactly 17.5 sacks, and he's been a Pro Bowler each of the last four years. Hendrickson, 30, is coming off back-to-back seasons with exactly 17.5 sacks, and he's been a Pro Bowler each of the last four news: Bengals Receive Strong Trey Hendrickson Warning From Former NFL QB Players want to ensure they have guaranteed money in case of injury, trade, or any other instance that would impact their playing future. Hendrickson is a perennial pass rusher, but he is also 30 years old. Most NFL players, especially those like defensive ends, start to dwindle past 30 years old. That is not always the case, but the game of football being so physical usually leads to "older" players losing a step past 30. Hendrickson might be trying to set up his future with the team and ensure that if he happens to be injured, he won't have to worry about the money from his contract. It is a bit strange that the Bengals are not willing to budge on the guaranteed money when they have an All-Pro defensive end in Hendrickson. He led the league in sacks in 2024 with 17.5, and also had the same number in 2023. Hendrickson is the anchor of the defense and a disrupting player who matters in the grand scheme of things. The Bengals generally have a much worse defense than offense, and losing Hendrickson would severely impact the team's playoff hopes. The Bengals need to find a resolution soon, as there are only a few weeks until the start of the regular season. For more on the Bengals, head to Newsweek Sports.
Fox News
34 minutes ago
- Fox News
Trey Hendrickson to Green Bay or Detroit? 6 Trade Destinations for Bengals Star
Print Close Published August 18, 2025 The Cincinnati Bengals might be willing to part ways with Trey Hendrickson. Mired in a contract impasse that's going nowhere, the Bengals are listening to trade offers for their disgruntled star pass rusher, according to multiple reports. Granted to seek a trade in March, no move was consummated and Hendrickson reported to training camp for the Bengals. However, Hendrickson has been a hold-in — not participating in practices as the two sides try to work toward a deal that makes him one of the highest-paid pass rushers in the league. The Bengals reportedly want defensive help and draft compensation in return for Hendrickson if they opt to trade him, which one longtime NFL executive thinks is a reasonable ask. "If he feels he is a $35-40 million player at a premium position, I would want a 1 plus a starting player or a 1 and a 3," the executive told me when asked about potential trade compensation for Hendrickson. "But in this situation, I would want the prior." There's no question Hendrickson is one of the best pass rushers in the game. He finished with a league-high 17.5 sacks last season to go with 46 combined tackles, six pass breakups and two forced fumbles. That effort was good enough for first-team All-Pro honors and a runner-up finish in the Defensive Player of the Year voting. Hendrickson earned Pro Bowl invitations all four seasons he's been with the Bengals. Hendrickson's 35 sacks over the last two seasons are the most in the NFL, and his 92 pressures were tops in the league last season. He also accounted for 32.2% of Cincinnati's pressures in 2024, making him the only defender to have recorded a team pressure share over 30%, per Next Gen Stats. Hendrickson, 30, is currently set to make $16 million in total compensation in the final year of his deal. Hendrickson joins another elite pass rusher in Micah Parsons, who is also holding in with the Dallas Cowboys in search of a new deal. Both players likely point to T.J. Watt's three-year, $123 million contract that averages $41 million annually — making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league — as a potential barometer for where their contract should come in. But at least one agent thinks Hendrickson might have to settle for a little less than that. "Considering 30-year-old Danielle Hunter just got a deal this offseason at $35.6 million a year, there's a somewhat reasonable argument that Trey should be in that ballpark as well," said J.I. Halsell, a certified NFL agent and executive vice president of client compensation for 3 Strand Sports. "However, the Hunter deal is a one-year extension, therefore it's not really a solid, apples-to-apples data point when trying to forecast a multi-year extension for Trey. "If he's looking for a multi-year deal, then based on the current edge market, there's a gap in the market from Josh Hines-Allen's $28.25 million a year up to the next edge deal of Nick Bosa's $34 million. Thus, a deal that's in the $30 to $32 million a year range could make sense on a multi-year deal." As teams have to weigh how much they want to give up in trade and salary compensation to land Hendrickson, here are six teams that make sense as potential trade partners. Indianapolis Colts Hendrickson's former defensive coordinator with the Bengals, Lou Anarumo, now leads the defense in Indianapolis, providing a smooth transition for the talented edge rusher in a defensive scheme he knows intimately. The Colts could also use some pass-rush help, too. Kwity Paye led Indianapolis last season with eight sacks. Colts general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen are under intense pressure to get something done this season and are in win-now mode. Indianapolis has about $17 million in salary cap space, and might have to move a talented player like offensive lineman Quenton Nelson to get it done. Green Bay Packers Much like the Colts, the Packers are in desperate need of pass rush help and fighting for a playoff spot in one of the toughest divisions in the league. Green Bay's 210 quarterback pressures were tied for 19th in the NFL last season. Jordan Love returned to the field from injury this week and leads a talented Green Bay offense, but they could use an upgrade along the defensive line from a pass rush led by Rashan Gary. The Packers have a little over $30 million in cap space, so they can get something done. And in a passing division led by a pair of quarterback whisperers in Kevin O'Connell and Ben Johnson, the Packers could use a top-tier pass rusher like Hendrickson, who can get home in critical portions of the game. Los Angeles Chargers The Bolts lost Joey Bosa to the Buffalo Bills in free agency and are counting on Tuli Tuipulotu to fill the void opposite Khalil Mack. But in an AFC West division that includes the best player in the league (Patrick Mahomes), the Chargers could use experienced help up front to chase down the Kansas City Chiefs. Head coach Jim Harbaugh has preached all offseason that the coaches and players must raise their level of play to match franchise quarterback Justin Herbert. What better way to show his team is doing that than trading for a talented playmaker like Hendrickson? The Chargers have a little over $30 million in cap space, so they have room to make a move. Chicago Bears Chicago had the most-sacked quarterback in the league in Caleb Williams, who was taken down 68 times last season. But on the other side of the line of scrimmage, Chicago's 40 sacks finished tied for 16th in the NFL. The Bears have not had a double-digit sack man since Robert Quinn set the franchise record with 18.5 sacks in 2021. The Bears invested in one of the most innovative minds in Johnson to get the most out of Williams, but Chicago needs a legitimate closer up front defensively to get off the field and get the ball back to the offense. Hendrickson would fill that void. He also gets a chance to play for defensive coordinator Dennis Allen again, who coached Hendrickson in New Orleans. The Bears have little wiggle room with $13.2 million in cap space, though, so they might have to move some things around to get a deal done. Carolina Panthers The Panthers finished with 32 sacks in 2024, tied for 30th in the NFL. So, Carolina would be wise to add some juice to the team's pass rush. Hendrickson would give Carolina another impact player on offense in a winnable division playing in the NFC South. The Panthers have nearly $19 million in cap space. Quarterback Bryce Young took a step in development under the direction of head coach Dave Canales last season, and Ejiro Evero is one of the top young defensive coordinators in the league. Adding Hendrickson could propel the Panthers to the top of the NFC South conversation with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons. Detroit Lions Aidan Hutchinson is one of the top pass rushers in the league, but returning from a gruesome season-ending leg injury. Hendrickson could help give the Lions juice off the edge as Hutchinson works himself back to being a consistent game wrecker. The Lions also lost a lot of brain power with former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn taking over as the head coach of New York Jets and ex-offensive coordinator Johnson now in Chicago. Having another dynamic playmaker like Hendrickson could help make up for those schematic deficiencies. The Lions have the second-most cap space in the league with $47.8 million in room. Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for more than a decade, covering the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him on X at @eric_d_williams. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! Print Close URL
