DJ James – Page 2 – Syndication Server

Houston Texans draft Marcus Harris with 7th round pick

Harris joins Justin Rogers in finding a new home in Texas.

Not only will Auburn have two representatives in Seattle next season in [autotag]Nehemiah Pritchett[/autotag] and [autotag]DJ James[/autotag], but two more former Tigers will also have two former players heading to the Lone Star State.

Former defensive lineman [autotag]Justin Rogers[/autotag] was taken in the 7th round at No. 244 overall by the Dallas Cowboys. Just three picks later, the Houston Texans used their 7th-round pick on fellow lineman [autotag]Marcus Harris[/autotag].

Harris was the No. 247 overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft, and the fifth former Tiger taken on day three of the event. Harris becomes the first Auburn player to be selected by Houston since the Texans chose [autotag]Jay Prosch[/autotag] with the No. 211 overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft. Harris is just the third former Tiger to be drafted by the Houston Texans, joining Prosch and [autotag]Ben Tate[/autotag] (2010).

NFL.com says that Harris will make up for his lack of size (6-2, 286) by being explosive and with great instincts.

Harris punches above his weight class in the strength department, utilizing upper-body power and lower-body balance to fight the good fight. He’ll get moved around by bigger bodies, but he’s relentless and has the athleticism to find his way back into plays.

Nehemiah Pritchett began the day by being drafted in the 5th round by the Seattle Seahawks. DJ James followed suit in the 6th round. Jaylin Simpson was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the 5th round while Justin Rogers was taken in the 7th round by the Dallas Cowboys.

Dallas Cowboys select DL Justin Rogers in 7th round

Rogers is the fourth former Tiger to be selected on day three of the NFL draft.

Three former Auburn defensive backs found professional homes on day three of the NFL draft. Now it is the defensive linemen’s turn.

Defensive lineman [autotag]Justin Rogers[/autotag] is the most recent Auburn prospect to be selected in the 2024 NFL draft, where he was taken with the No. 244 overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the final round. He becomes the first former Tiger to be drafted by the Cowboys since 2005 when defensive lineman [autotag]Jay Ratliff[/autotag] was taken by Dallas in the 7th round.

Rogers played one season for Auburn, where he made 17 total tackles in 13 games, totaling 375 snaps. Before his time at Auburn, Rogers played three seasons at Kentucky where he made 61 stops, five went for a loss.

NFL draft buzz shares that Rogers has several strengths such as great instincts and impressive burst. The Cowboys fill a need by adding Rogers to its defensive line.

Rogers joins [autotag]Nehemiah Pritchett[/autotag], [autotag]Jaylin Simpson[/autotag], and [autotag]DJ James[/autotag] by being taken in the NFL draft. Pritchett was taken by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round, with James joining him in the sixth round. Simpson was chosen by the Indianapolis Colts in the fifth round.

Seattle Seahawks select DJ James in sixth round of NFL draft

James will remain teammates with Nehemiah Pritchett after the Seahawks selected him with the No. 192 overall pick.

The duo of [autotag]DJ James[/autotag] and [autotag]Nehemiah Pritchett[/autotag] combined to make 60 tackles, record three interceptions, and break up 13 passes for Auburn’s defense in 2023.

The teamwork of James and Pritchett made quite an impression on the Seattle Seahawks as the franchise selected both corners in the 2024 NFL draft. The Seahawks selected Pritchett in the fifth round and followed suit in the sixth round by taking DJ James with the No. 192 overall pick.

James is the third former Tiger to be taken in the 2024 NFL draft, joining Pritchett and Jaylin Simpson, who was taken late in the fifth round by the Indianapolis Colts.

According to Bleacher Report’s scouting report, James could be an early contributor in the NFL.

James is an intriguing prospect who has the desired length and speed to play the position in the NFL. He will need to continue to work on filling out his frame and increasing his functional strength, but he has the skills to build on. James is a high-level developmental prospect who has the potential to be a contributor early in his NFL career.

The Spanish Fort native spent his final two collegiate seasons at Auburn after beginning his career at Oregon. He recorded 75 total tackles with 4.5 going for a loss. He also broke up 21 passes while hauling in three interceptions. Last season, he made 38 tackles with two interceptions and 12 pass deflections, all career-highs.

The Athletic projects James, Pritchett to be taken in the third round of the NFL draft

In its Round 2 and 3 mock draft, The Athletic forecasts two former Tigers to find professional homes on Friday.

Opening night of the NFL draft is behind us, and the SEC was well represented in the first round as 10 former players within the conference were taken by professional teams.

Could Auburn have their first representative selected on day two? Dane Brugler of The Athletic thinks so.

Following the action of the first round, Brugler released his NFL rounds 2 and 3 mock draft which included two former Tigers. Brugler projects former cornerbacks [autotag]DJ James[/autotag] and [autotag]Nehemiah Pritchett[/autotag] to hear their names called within the early stages of round three. James is forecasted to join the Carolina Panthers with the first pick of the third round, No. 65 overall. At the same time, Pritchett is projected to be taken by the Washington Commanders two picks later at No. 67 overall.

Both players see a jump in projection from Brugler’s last mock draft released on April 17. James was forecasted to go No. 97 overall to the Cincinnati Bengals while Pritchett was expected to be taken with the No. 105 pick by the Los Angeles Chargers. Former Auburn quarterback [autotag]Bo Nix[/autotag] also jumped after Brugler’s projections showed him going to the Los Angeles Rams in the second round. Nix was chosen No. 12 overall by the Denver Broncos during last night’s first-round coverage.

Outside of James and Pritchett, two other former Tigers are expected to be taken during the final day of the NFL draft. Safety [autotag]Jaylin Simpson[/autotag] is projected to be taken No. 133 overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars according to Brugler’s April 17 mock draft while defensive lineman [autotag]Marcus Harris[/autotag] is expected to go No. 170 overall to the New Orleans Saints.

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Keionte Scott elected to stay at Auburn, and Wesley McGriff deserves the credit

Scott flirted with the transfer portal in January, but returns to bring experience to a depleted Auburn secondary.

Auburn’s secondary is one of the least experienced units on the defensive side of the ball, so it needs as much leadership as possible.

After the departures of [autotag]Nehemiah Pritchett[/autotag], [autotag]DJ James[/autotag], and [autotag]Jaylin Simpson[/autotag], who declared for the NFL draft, Auburn needed a player like [autotag]Keionte Scott [/autotag]in-house to provide leadership and experience to the unit. Earlier this week, Scott revealed that he almost left the program, which would have for sure delivered a blow to Auburn’s defense.

Scott entered the transfer portal for a short time in January before pulling his name out of consideration just two days later. What sparked his return? The return of defensive backs coach [autotag]Wesley McGriff[/autotag]. McGriff took a step back from his on-field duties last October before leaving the program to join Mike Elko’s staff at Texas A&M. The deal with Texas A&M fell through, which led him back to Auburn.

Scott says a brief chat with McGriff made the difference.

“We talked a lot throughout the process and stuff like that,” Scott said. He was able to still mentor me through the process of everything. So ultimately having him come back, that was a plus.”

Scott, who will move to cornerback this season, says that the prospective of playing in new defensive coordinator [autotag]DJ Durkin[/autotag]’s defense, and staying at a place he loves in Auburn, also played a role in his decision to stay.

Scott enters the 2024 season with 72 total tackles, an interception, and four pass deflections. He has also returned 29 punts in two seasons on the Plains for 356 yards and a touchdown.

Chargers get best player available, fill holes in Chad Reuter’s latest 4-round mock draft

Breaking down the Chargers’ picks in Chad Reuter’s latest four-round mock draft.

The Chargers have a smidge bit of leeway heading into the NFL draft after addressing a few positional needs in free agency, but there are still some critical spots on the roster that need to be filled next month.

In NFL Media’s Chad Reuter’s latest four-round mock draft, he sees Los Angeles taking the best player available at a glaring position of need in the first round and building out the depth chart the rest of the way out.

In Round 1, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. falls in their lap.

The Cardinals, who have the No. 4 overall pick, trade back with the Vikings in this scenario. Minnesota takes their quarterback of the future in J.J. McCarthy, leaving Harrison for the taking.

With Keenan Allen and Mike Williams gone, the Bolts must add to the wideout room in the worst way.

Harrison is a bonafide star skill player with athleticism, speed, route-running savvy and elite ball skills. He would quickly develop close chemistry with Justin Herbert and boost the offense significantly.

In Round 2, L.A. takes defensive tackle Braden Fiske.

Fiske, the 6-foot-4 and 292-pounder, was a standout at the NFL Scouting Combine. He led all defensive tackles in the vertical (33.5″), broad jump (9’9), and 40-yard dash (4.78 seconds).

That immense athleticism shows up on the football field, as Fiske plays with good movement skills and quickness. While he possesses below-average length, Fiske is crafty with his hands and is strong at the point of attack.

The Chargers signed Poona Ford last week, but they still need to fill out the interior part of the defensive line depth chart.

In Round 3, the Chargers select cornerback DJ James.

James has a lot of experience, having spent his final two seasons at Auburn after three with Oregon. He is a great athlete with the desired coverage skills and knack for the football, as evidenced by leading the SEC in forced incompletions (15) in 2023.

With their first pick in the fourth round, Los Angeles selects running back Will Shipley.

Shipley shows the burst, decisiveness, and receiving ability to be a rotational back, which are all traits that the Bolts could use in the backfield as they look to finish building out the group.

With the additional fourth-round pick they got from the Bears in return for Keenan Allen, L.A. takes offensive lineman Sataoa Laumea.

Jim Harbaugh wants to be more physical up front to aid the running game and that means bolstering the offensive line with his guys. Laumea is an experienced player who logged 44 straight games between right tackle and right guard. He is a fleet-footed mover with a nasty streak.

Photos: Auburn’s 2024 NFL scouting combine participants

Simpson and Pritchett are two of five Tigers who have spent the last week showcasing their talents in Indianapolis.

Many prospects flocked to Indianapolis, Indiana last week to participate in the NFL scouting combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, including five former Auburn Tigers.

Defensive backs [autotag]Jaylin Simpson[/autotag], [autotag]Nehemiah Pritchett[/autotag], and [autotag]DJ James[/autotag] joined defensive linemen [autotag]Marcus Harris[/autotag] and [autotag]Justin Rogers[/autotag] by competing in several drills and interviews throughout the week.

James, Simpson, and Pritchett caught the attention of many this week due to their speed while Rogers and Harris showcased their strengths.

Here is a look back at Auburn’s week at the NFL scouting combine,

Photo Gallery: Former Tigers compete in Senior Bowl workouts

Five former Tigers, including ex-quarterback Bo Nix, are showing out in Mobile this week.

The 2024 Senior Bowl will commence this Saturday, and five former Tigers have shown out this week in preparation.

Auburn will be well-represented in this season’s postseason All-Star game. Defensive backs [autotag]Nehemiah Pritchett[/autotag], [autotag]DJ James[/autotag], and [autotag]Jaylin Simpson[/autotag], as well as defensive lineman [autotag]Marcus Harris[/autotag], are all in Mobile set to showcase their skills in front of NFL scouts in hopes of earning a high draft grade.

Former Auburn quarterback turned Oregon Duck [autotag]Bo Nix[/autotag] is also at the Senior Bowl and is the top quarterback to watch at the Senior Bowl according to Pro Football Focus.

Here are the best images from Auburn’s representatives at the Senior Bowl in Mobile.

13 takeaways from American team Senior Bowl practice day 2

From Jamari Thrash to Ladd McConkey, here are 13 takeaways from the second day of practice for the American team at the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl

The National team took the spotlight this morning in the second day of Senior Bowl practices, it was the American team’s turn this afternoon. It was another great day of practice for each team, with some heated battles in both the one-on-one sessions and in team practices.

Managing editor Tyler Forness has boots on the ground in Mobile, and is providing us with some valuable insights on more than 100 NFL draft prospects battling to improve their draft stock this week.

Here are 13 takeaways Forness had from the American team’s practice in this afternoon’s Senior Bowl session.

Auburn has 52% chance to beat Maryland on Saturday

ESPN analytics expects Saturday’s TransPerfect Music City Bowl to be a toss-up.

The Auburn Tigers will face the Maryland Terrapins in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl on Saturday, and ESPN is calling this game a toss-up.

According to the latest data from the ESPN matchup predictor, Auburn has been given a 51.8% chance to earn the bowl win.

Both teams have an amazing number of opt-outs that will affect how each squad will play the game. For Auburn, the defensive secondary will take a hit due to the opt-outs of [autotag]Nehemiah Pritchett[/autotag] and [autotag]DJ James[/autotag]. What helps Auburn’s case, however, is that Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa is also opting out of the game.

Tagovailoa passed for 3,377 yards and 25 touchdowns this season for Maryland, and his absence could be helpful to an Auburn secondary that will be missing two key pieces.

Auburn kicks off the Music City Bowl on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. CT. on ABC.