ESPN’s Mel Kiper projects Auburn players in NFL Draft

Photo credit: AP Photo/Dave Martin

AUBURN — With the NFL Scouting Combine just 10 days away, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. gave his thoughts on Auburn’s three players heading to Indianapolis. Defensive end Corey Lemonier, tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen and running back Onterio McCalebb are the three Tigers who were invited to workout at the Combine.

Tight ends will work out Feb. 23, running backs the 24th and defensive linemen the 25th.

Kiper said he sees Lemonier, who had 34 tackles and 5.5 sacks last season, as an end in a 4-3 scheme.

“He’s got the long arms, he’s got the burst off the edge,” Kiper said on a conference call Wednesday. “There were some games where, to me, he was neutralized mid-to-late season after looking like earlier in the year that he was going to be a guaranteed mid-first rounder, at worst a late first-rounder. Now he looks like a second or third-rounder. I’d say the second round more than the third right now. … Had a great start to the season then kind of tailed off.”

Photo credit: AP Photo/Dave Martin

Lutzenkirchen is training in California as he recovers from hip surgery which ended his senior season. He was awarded the Andrews Institute College Comeback Award by the Montgomery Quarterback Club on Tuesday night.

“There’s some depth in the late rounds at tight end,” Kiper said on a conference call Wednesday. “Philip Lutzenkirchen, the versatile kid out of Auburn who had the injury can probably help you. Lutzenkirchen’s versatility will open up possibilities for him on Day 3.”

Kiper feels Lutzenkirchen, who attended the Senior Bowl in Mobile but did not take part in physical activities, is a sixth or seventh round pick in this year’s draft.

Photo credit: AP Photo/Butch Dill

McCalebb’s speed is what makes his worthy of being drafted according to Kiper. McCalebb also went to the Senior Bowl but weighed in at just 164 pounds — 15 lighter than any other player — and left due to a hamstring injury.

“With McCalebb’s speed, and that’s the thing, he can fly,” Kiper said. “If he runs the kind of 40 he’s capable of, he’s going to interest some people Day 3 of the draft. There’s no question he’ll be one of the faster players in this draft. He’ll run in the 4.3′s, at worst in the low 4.4′s. I think his speed is going to open up opportunities for him on Day 3.”

Kiper feels McCalebb, who had 570 yards rushing with six touchdowns and 18 receptions for 132 yards as well as 23 kickoff returns for 523 yards with a 100-yard return touchdown last season, could be a fifth round draft pick.

Auburn’s Pro Day is March 5 and all draft eligible players can participate, so linebacker Daren Bates and offensive guard John Sullen, who each took part in the Raycom College Football All-Star Classic but were not invited to the Combine, can be seen by scouts then.

The NFL Draft is scheduled for April 25-27 in New York.