Auburn Football: Where Drafttek thinks Tigers will get picked in the NFL draft

Here we discuss the upcoming NFL draft, and where Drafttek has former Auburn football players being drafted, with Lawson leaving in the first round.

Amid all of the mock NFL drafts available out there on the internet, Drafttek stands out because it uses a computer model to generate — and regularly update — a seven-round draft. Auburn football is represented in these updates via Carl Lawson and Montravius Adams.

The system works like this: Drafttek’s algorithm assesses team positional needs, where they are selecting in the draft and available players and combines that with analysis from people following each team to determine whether the computer selection meshes with what they’re hearing on the inside.

Drafttek also includes a Reach/Value number for each player, noting whether their selection at that place in the draft is above or below their overall ranking

Here’s where Drafftek currently thinks Auburn players will be selected this year:

1. Carl Lawson, first round, 30th overall, to the Pittsburgh Steelers (Reach/Value -8)

Lawson has been the consensus first pick from Auburn off the board in mock drafts all over the web, and Drafttek is no different. It looks at the need for a pass rusher in Pittsburgh and believes that Lawson will be available at the end of the first round.

Lawson has helped his case in recent weeks with a strong showing at the NFL Combine, where he had more bench press reps than anyone else, and Auburn’s Pro Day. His Reach/Value is minus 8 because his overall ranking is No. 38.

“Lawson has tape depicting a polished pass rusher using an arsenal of rush moves and counters, using his hands well, bending the edge and pressuring opposing passers against elite SEC competition,” writes Drafttek. “His flaws such as contain responsibilities in the run game are very much coachable.”

2. Montravius Adams, second round, 49th overall, to the Washington Redskins (Reach/Value +10)

Adams has been going as high as the first round in some mocks and as low as the fourth or fifth round in other mocks. But Drafttek notes that the Redskins need a run-stopping defensive lineman and will be looking for a nose tackle in the draft.

Adams dominated at the Senior Bowl, and his draft stock has been rising in recent weeks, so this appears about right. His Reach/Value number indicates his overall ranking is No. 39, so the Redskins are getting good value picking him 10 spots later. He has moved up 30 spots on Drafttek’s big board.

“With the Redskins’ division trending towards the ground-game, the Redskins MUST improve upon a run defense that allowed 5.3 ypc on first down,” writes Drafttek. “If Adams can remain consistent with his effort, he may even outplay his draft position in the center of Washington’s base defense.”

3. Rudy Ford, undrafted and ranked No. 305 overall

Ford has moved up in the Drafttek board and is now the No. 24 overall safety. It currently does not have him being drafted while other mock drafts have had the safety going as high as the fifth round to the seventh, and last round.

4. Alex Kozan, undrafted and ranked No. 333 overall

Kozan’s draft status is slipping. He’s down 79 spots in the Drafttek ranking and no longer being selected in the seven-round draft. He is ranked as the No. 24 offensive guard. In other mock drafts, he has been a late-round selection.

5. Robert Leff, undrafted and No. 445 overall

Leff has drawn some interest, but he was not invited to participate in the NFL Combine. Drafttek now has him ranked No. 445 overall, down 25 spots, and as the No. 36 overall tackle. Look for Leff to sign a free agent contract after the draft and try to make a team out of training camp.

Next: Auburn's Five Best and Five Worst Draft Picks

Of course, not even computers can correctly predict what a team is going to do during the three-day draft.