Power of positivity: Best-case scenarios for huge Auburn season in 2018

The defensive backfield

Auburn lost its top corner in Carlton Davis, its most physical safety in Tray Matthews and one of its most reliable players in safety Stephen Roberts.

For most teams, that’s cause for concern and it might be for Auburn this season.

But the Tigers have built their secondary around top corner Jamel Dean, who came on big in the second half of last season, and the versatile Javaris Davis, who likely will play nickel, among other spots on the back end.

Converted receiver Noah Igbinoghene is the frontrunner to start opposite Dean. Daniel Thomas and Jeremiah Dinson look like the starting safeties.

The depth is there, but unproven. John Broussard, Jordyn Peters, Traivon Leonard, Malcolm Askew and Jayvaughn Myers are battling on the two deep and freshmen Christian Tutt, Smoke Monday and Jamien Sherwood look like they can contribute this fall.

Best-case scenario: Dean establishes himself as Auburn’s lockdown corner, taking away one side of the field from opposing quarterbacks. Davis, one of the team’s fastest players, turns into a star in a key spot for Kevin Steele’s defense. The defensive front places enough pressure on offenses that the secondary can overcome some early season growing pains.