NFL free agency is almost here, and we've gotten used to a handful of college football programs dominating the headlines because they produce top-tier talent. With the 2025 market opening soon, the SEC teams that most would expect to produce nine figures worth of new contracts include Alabama and Georgia.

However, it's the Auburn Tigers that will be well-represented as spending flows. ESPN dropped a list of underrated players who could be steals, and the Tigers led the way with three picks. 

Here are three former Tigers who will land fat new deals, as well as the analysis of their selection.

Carlton Davis, CB, Detroit Lions

Carlton Davis has struggled with availability throughout his career, failing to play in more than 14 games in any season since entering the league in 2018. When he's on the field, the 28-year-old is quite effective. He's an effective run defender and has enough playmaking to justify getting paid like a CB2. 

Here's ESPN's take.

Davis, like many of the 2025 sleeper free agents, ended the season on injured reserve. Though other players are coming off major injuries that might affect their athleticism moving forward, Davis is recovering from a broken jaw. But his absence has made it easy to forget just how valuable he was to Detroit before its injury-riddled implosion: He was the clear CB1 in a man coverage-heavy defense.

Jamien Sherwood, LB, New York Jets

One of the most pleasant breakout performers of the 2024 season was linebacker Jamien Sherwood. Slimly built at 216 pounds, Sherwood is a tremendous athlete and moves like a safety, as expected by his weight. But he led the NFL with 98 solo tackles in his first full season as a starter, so it's not a gimmick.

The former fifth-round pick isn't much of a playmaker yet in coverage or when rushing the passer, but it's possible improvement is coming as he continues to get snaps.

In watching Sherwood's 2024 film, I expected to see another run-and-chase linebacker who solves his problems with athleticism but lacks enough coverage instincts to be a clear three-down linebacker. Not so. He is more than a splashy athlete — he's better than I thought at playing through contact and dropping into coverage. If I had to hang my hat on one player from this class rising from national unknown to leaguewide star on their second contract, I'd put it on Sherwood.

Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Washington Commanders

The surprising inclusion I would disagree with based on my own film and data studies is Noah Igbinoghene's. He was a playmaker at Auburn but was overdrafted by a rudderless Miami Dolphins team that lacked a plan for him. Washington did finally get him into the slot, his best fit, but Igbinoghene still had below-average production as he transitioned inside.

The former Dolphins first-round pick looked like a bust before Dan Quinn moved him to the slot in Washington. Igbinoghene received starting reps only after injuries and poor play above him shuffled the depth chart, but he played solid ball in the nickel and should be given another starting shot at a CB3 spot, in Washington or elsewhere.