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2022 NFL Draft Prospects: Auburn vs. Texas A&M

By Andrew Fischer

Sep 25, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal (8) in action during the game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Texas A&M Aggies at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal (8) in action during the game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Texas A&M Aggies at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Auburn Tigers linebacker Zakoby McClain (9) shakes his finger after making a stop at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. Auburn Tigers leads Akron Zips 37-0.
Auburn Tigers linebacker Zakoby McClain (9) shakes his finger after making a stop at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. Auburn Tigers leads Akron Zips 37-0. /

Auburn LB Zakoby McClain

Smaller linebackers are getting more of a chance at the NFL level due to the focus on speed and pass coverage. Teams would rather take a player in the middle to late rounds of the draft and coach him up in regard to tackling and coverage than to spend a high pick on a bigger linebacker who gets routinely gets toasted while trying to cover speedy skill players.

Zakoby McClain is projected for the middle rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft, and that’s likely due to his diminutive stature (6’0” 219). He’s shown he can run sideline to sideline and tackle well as he’s third in the SEC in total tackles with 67. He’s added two sacks and two passes defended this season for good measure. He only has one career interception, but it was a big one, a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in 2019 in the Iron Bowl, which ended up being a key Auburn win over Alabama.

Improving his impact near the line of scrimmage would likely increase McClain’s chances of getting drafted on day two of the 2022 NFL Draft. He needs to work on shedding blocks in tight spaces and filling gaps better and with more consistency.

The senior from Valdosta, Georgia, will have a good chance to impress scouts and raise his 2022 NFL Draft stock in the coming weeks, as Auburn finishes their schedule with three out of four games against ranked teams.

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