NFL Draft evaluators are falling in love with Connor Lew, despite midseason ACL tear

Whatever Connor Lew brings to the table certainly resonates with NFL talent evaluators. Despite having another season's worth of eligibility, the Auburn center decided to turn pro after his junior year down on The Plains and enter the 2026 NFL Draft. Despite suffering an ACL tear mid-season, he projects to have a third-round grade at this stage of the NFL Draft process. His game translates well.

Although Auburn was very much in a transitional period under Hugh Freeze's watch when Lew played for the team, sometimes a player's skill set just pops off the screen. The big things that Lew offers are a combination of size, speed, mobility, and athleticism. His ability to attack the defensive line with such ferocity after snapping it is why his season-ending injury is not the biggest deal in the world.

Clint Goss spoke glowingly about Lew over on X and what all he could potentially bring to the table.

Lew was widely viewed as the best center prospect in the country prior to his injury. Although that may impact his draft stock a bit in terms of his overall medicals, we are looking at a potential draft steal for whichever NFL team ends up selecting him. It is hard to win games at the next level without having one stalwart after another in the trenches. Lew could be that for any number of NFL teams.

So even if Auburn fans were hoping for a return from Lew in 2026, it makes too much sense to go pro.

Connor Lew going pro throws another wrench into Alex Golesh equation

For as promising of a future as it may be for incoming head coach Alex Golesh at Auburn, he might have to ride out a tough few weeks for the time being. Not only is Lew turning pro, but the team's best player in wide receiver Cam Coleman is planning on entering the transfer portal. Surely, there is a way for Golesh to spin this in the positive. He can probably say that at Auburn, you can make it to the NFL.

As far as what Lew may be expected to do during his first NFL season, let's be cautious about it and not put too much onto his plate. After all, his college career just came to an end because of an injury, prior to deciding to enter the NFL Draft. Even with the modern advances in medical science, an ACL tear usually keeps a player on the mend for just under a year. Could Lew be ready for training camp?

It really comes down to his rehabilitation processes. Again, the medicals have to check out for him to achieve the loftiest of draft position possible for him. For now, Lew may end up being a rotational lineman as a mid-round pick during his first season in the league. The big jump for him will probably be between years one and two in the NFL. This is usually the case for most players in the league, too.

Even if it takes a minute for him to get back to full strength, Lew is a valuable prospect in this draft.