Auburn football: 10 players most important to accelerating offense in 2018

If the Auburn football team is going to compete for an SEC title, these 10 players on offense will be big reasons why.

It’s no secret that when most people think of Auburn football, they think offense. That is changing with the emergence of Kevin Steele’s defense the last couple seasons, but we’ll discuss that later.

Gus Malzahn is synonymous with offense. Despite handing over the offense to a new offensive coordinator (Chip Lindsey) last season, the offense continued putting up big numbers and expectations will be higher in 2018 despite the loss of some offensive line starters and running back Kerryon Johnson.

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The Tigers finished 26th in the nation with 451.6 yards per game and 27th in scoring offense (33.9 points per game) last season. To avoid the losses they experienced in 2017 and reach the College Football Playoff, the Tigers will have to take a big step forward.

Certainly players will step up throughout the season and ones we’re not expecting to contribute will play bigger roles, but here’s our list ranking the 10 most important players to offensive success for Auburn football in 2018.

10. WR Ryan Davis

Don’t get us wrong. Ryan Davis as Auburn’s 10th-most important player on offense in 2018 is by no means a knock on Davis. In fact, it’s a compliment, if anything.

With Davis, you know what you’re getting. He’s proven his value.

Last season he led Auburn with a school-record 84 receptions — 55 more than any other player — with a team-best 815 yards and 5 touchdowns (tied with Darius Slayton for the team lead). He’s a tremendous possession receiver, moves the chains, has the potential to take it to the house on any touch and also is capable of picking up tough yards after the catch.

He caught at least two passes in every game last season and was outstanding against Alabama as Jarrett Stidham found him 11 times for 139 yards (both career highs).

Davis is reliable and versatile. He’ll likely see time on the field in place of Eli Stove (ACL injury) as well as his usual slot position. Does that mean he’ll get the ball on speed sweeps like Stove did last season? We’ll get to that later.