Projected salaries, bonuses for Auburn players selected in 2024 NFL Draft
AUBURN — The 2024 NFL Draft has come and gone. Auburn watched as five players were drafted, the same number as the 2023 draft.
In all, following the draft, there are 37 former Auburn players currently on NFL rosters.
Auburn’s last 10 draft classes have been fairly consistent in the number of players drafted per class. The difference this year was that no players were taken in the first four rounds of the draft for the first time since 2003.
2024: 5
2023: 5
2022: 1
2021: 4
2020: 6
2019: 6
2018: 4
2017: 4
2016: 3
2015: 5
For context, part of the reason for Auburn being shut out of the first four rounds of the draft this year is the ~46 players transferring out of the program from the 2020, 2021 and 2022 recruiting classes combined. The end of the Gus Malzahn era and entirety of the Bryan Harsin era were sorely lacking when it came to elite recruiting and high-level player development efforts. The Tigers’ program hasn’t won more than six games in the regular season since 2019.
The 2021 and 2023 seasons both produced six wins, while the 2022 season produced just five wins. The 2020 Covid-shortened season also produced six regular season wins, but with no non-conference games and all 10 games being SEC contests, that season likely would have produced more overall regular season wins.
Having said that, here are the projected rookie salaries and bonuses for this year’s five draftees according to Sportrac.com.
CB Nehemiah Pritchett: The five-year Auburn player and one of the fastest players at the NFL Combine was taken No. 136 overall in the 5th Round by the Seattle Seahawks. Pritchett’s projected 4-year deal will be worth $4,395,749, with a projected signing bonus of $375,749.
DB Jaylin Simpson: The five-year Auburn player and second-team All-SEC performer was taken No. 167 overall in the 5th Round by the Indianapolis Colts. Simpson’s projected 4-year deal will be worth $4,309,888, with a projected signing bonus of $289,888.
CB DJ James: The former Oregon transfer and former second-team All-SEC performer was taken No. 192 overall in the 6th Round by the Seattle Seahawks. James’ projected 4-year deal will be worth $4,205,240, with a projected signing bonus of $185,240.
DL Justin Rogers: The former Kentucky transfer was taken No. 244 overall in the 7th Round by the Dallas Cowboys. Rogers’ projected 4-year deal will be worth $4,105,489, with a projected signing bonus of $85,489.
DL Marcus Harris: The former Kansas transfer and Montgomery, Ala. native was taken No. 247 overall in the 7th Round by the Houston Texans. Harris’ projected 4-year deal will be worth $4,102,935, with a projected signing bonus of $82,935.
