Madden 23: Highest Rated Former Auburn Tigers

EA Sports latest edition of the Madden franchise was officially released on Friday. And whilst no former Tigers made the top 100, Auburn is heavily represented throughout the game. Here are the five highest-rated NFL stars on Madden 23 that once proudly wore the orange and blue:

1: Braden Smith, OT, Indianapolis Colts – 85 Overall

No surprise here. Braden Smith left The Plains as an Auburn legend, starting 41 games in four years. He played 12 games as a freshman and recorded All-American honors in both his junior and senior year. Smith won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy his final season in Auburn, awarded to the best SEC lineman.

The NFL took notice. Smith was selected in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. It took him all of five weeks to win the starting right tackle spot in Indy, starting the remaining 12 games of his rookie season. He was named to the 2018 All-Rookie team and has been a fixture of the Colts’ o-line ever since. Last year, Smith signed a 4-year, $72m contract extension keeping him in Indianapolis until 2025.

2: Carl Lawson, EDGE, New York Jets – 83 Overall

Edge rusher Carl Lawson terrorized SEC offenses for the Tigers from 2013 to 2016. The menacing pass rusher racked up 67 tackles and 14.5 sacks in jus games at Jordan-Hare. He began his NFL career in Cincinnati after being drafted in the 4th round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Lawson fast outplayed his draft position, being a contributor the first three years before exploding in 2020. That impressive season saw him earn a big free agent deal with The Jets, signing a three-year, $45m deal.

Lawson may have an even higher rating if it wasn’t for being rather injury prone. The former Tiger missed the whole of 2014 at Auburn with a torn ACL, something he suffered again in Cincinnati. His first year in New York was also over before it began, rupturing his achilles in training camp. With a strong 2022, expect Lawson to jump into the top 100 on Madden this time next season.

T3: Jamel Dean, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 82 Overall

Is Auburn the new DBU? The Buccaneers seem to think so, having two former Tiger cornerbacks on their roster. In a remarkable coincidence, they both share a rating of 82 on Madden too.

Jamel Dean transferred to Auburn from Ohio State in 2015. He became a shutdown corner for Auburn as a Sophomore, and in two seasons as a starter recorded 73 tackles, 17 pass breakups and two interceptions. A big, long corner with impressive athleticism, Dean was named onto Bruce Feldman’s coveted ‘college football freaks’ list in 2018.

Those measurements were something Tampa Bay couldn’t ignore, and they drafted him in the third round in 2019. In three years with the Buccaneers, Dean has produced eye popping stats on his way to becoming a key piece of the secondary. And in 2020 he had a season to remember, playing every playoff game as The Buccs became world champions.

T3: Carlton Davis, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 82 Overall

Carlton Davis entered the NFL a year earlier than his fellow cornerback Dean. Much like his teammate, Davis shares impressive measurables and has racked up the numbers at Raymond James Stadium. He has been a starter in this dangerous secondary ever since his rookie season, and has an eye for a turnover. 2020 was his best season in that regard, picking off four passes on his way to a Super Bowl ring.

Prior to his stellar NFL career, Davis balled out on The Plains for three full seasons. Just like he did as a pro, Davis started immediately, playing 12 games as a freshman. He was a mainstay of the Tigers defense the next two seasons, and in his final year was named First Team All-SEC and Second Team All-American.

T5: Derrick Brown, IDL, CAR / Daniel Carlson, K, LV / Jonathan Jones, CB, NE –  81 Overall

Three former Tigers are tied for fifth in the Auburn alumni Madden rankings. A 5-star recruit, Derrick Brown was a human wrecking ball on the AU defensive line from 2016 to 2019. He was selected seventh overall in the 2020 NFL Draft by The Panthers, and has quickly entrenched himself as a starter in Carolina. Two years in the league have shown promise, even as his team has struggled to make a mark in the NFC South.

Kickers get Madden love too! Daniel Carlson comes in joint sixth out of all NFL kickers with an 81 rating after impressing with the Raiders the last three years. One of the few kickers to be drafted into the league, Carlson was actually a 5th round pick by the Vikings. But he proved to be one of a number of kicker victims of the ruthless Mike Zimmer and was cut in September. Carlson has been with the Raiders ever since, and is actually the NFL’s leading points scorer the last two years. With Auburn, Carlson became the all-time leading scorer in SEC football history, with 480 career points.

The third Auburn corner to make this list, Jonathan Jones has overcome going undrafted to make his mark in the NFL. Jones is an undersized defensive back but made a name for himself as a playmaker at Auburn. Often operating in the slot, Jones recorded seven interceptions as a Tiger. After being picked up by the Patriots, Jones has gone on to surpass Dean and Davis by winning two Super Bowls in New England. Jones was rewarded for his performances with a three-year $21m extension in 2019.

Every Other Auburn Tiger On Madden 23: