Auburn's ten best defensive players according to Pro Football Focus

AUBURN — It’s not a perfect science, but since we’re not in the meetings, Auburn Live, with the help of Pro Football Focus, will do our best to talk about the Tigers’ best defensive players through seven games.

All grades are according to PFF’s analysis after watching film. While it may not be a perfect science, it’s likely a fair reflection. We’re starting with the top ten defensive players.

*of note: any grades above 68 are considered “green” grades, or passing moving into good grades, and anything closing in on 80 is excellent

*also of note: only including players that have played a minimum of 75 snaps

RELATED: THE LATEST WAR ROOM

Eku Leota

Defensive Grade: 82.2
Rush Defense: 73.2
Tackling: 78.9
Pass Rush: 83.0

In five games, Leota tallied 18 quarterback pressures and four sacks. He was Auburn’s most productive player before his pectoral injury suffered during the first quarter against LSU. His presence was missed in the second half against LSU, certainly against Ole Miss last weekend, and will continue to be missed the remainder of the season.

Donovan Kaufman

Defensive Grade: 77.5
Rush Defense: 61.6
Tackling: 61.3
Coverage: 78.8

Kaufman has played the fourth-most defensive snaps on the team through seven games, allowing five grabs on 11 targets, and just six yards after the catch.

Colby Wooden

Defensive Grade: 74.6
Rush Defense: 70.0
Tackling: 35.1
Pass Rush: 73.0

Wooden has 22 quarterback pressures on the season, just six behind starting edge Derick Hall, and his three sacks trails Hall’s five and Leota’s four. Wooden’s low “tackling” grade is due to eight missed tackles on 36 opportunities, which comes out to a 22 percent missed tackle rate.

D.J. James

Defensive Grade: 71.0
Rush Defense: 56.6
Tackling: 68.1
Coverage: 74.6

The Oregon transfer has been Auburn’s best cornerback as the weeks have rolled on. He’s been targeted 27 times and only allowed nine catches (33 percent) in around 200 snaps. James’ five pass breakups leads the team.

Nehemiah Pritchett

Defensive Grade: 70.1
Rush Defense: 61.2
Tackling: 69.6
Coverage: 71.7

Pritchett has been targeted 25 times and allowed 12 grabs (45 percent). He hasn’t allowed a passing touchdown all season, and has only committed two defensive penalties.

Jayson Jones

Defensive Grade: 69.5
Rush Defense: 68.9
Tackling: 65.8
Pass Rush: 64.5

124 of Jones’ 193 total snaps have been playing the run, which is why he was brought to Auburn from Oregon. Jones only has 10 tackles, only “missing” one, and that’s about it. Jones hasn’t done anything special, but hasn’t been a liability either.

Marcus Harris

Defensive Grade: 68.1
Rush Defense: 71.7
Tackling: 65.8
Pass Rush: 58.1

Harris only has seven quarterback pressure on the season, good for one per game, with 19 tackles. That’s Harris’ role. Plug the middle, be hard to push around, and make the tackle when the opportunity presents itself. Harris grades out best against the run, which is his primary role.

Derick Hall

Defensive Grade: 65.2
Rush Defense: 59.4
Tackling: 74.0
Pass Rush: 79.9

Hall isn’t the eighth-best defender on Auburn’s team, we know that. There are three factors here: only 34 tackles outside of sacks, allowing seven receptions in seven targets, and committing five defensive penalties this season. But what Hall brings in pressuring the quarterback, leading the team with 28 pressures and five sacks. If Hall didn’t have to play virtually every snap of every game, resulting in more consistent effort, his production might be better, too.

Keionte Scott

Defensive Grade: 64.8
Rush Defense: 70.5
Tackling: 64.8
Coverage: 59.7

Scott’s 30 tackles is nearly on par with Kaufman’s 33, and Scott is Kaufman’s backup at nickel when Kaufman moves to safety. Scott’s physical nature is his strong suit. He’s allowed 19 receptions in 23 targets (82 percent) hurting his overall coverage grade. Scott has also allowed a team-high 117 yards after catch, and one touchdown in seven games. Scott does have the secondary’s only interception on the year.

Jaylin Simpson

Defensive Grade: 63.9
Rush Defense: 76.1
Tackling: 87.2
Coverage: 60.1

Simpson’s total snaps have decreased some as the weeks have gone on, due to the emergence of both James and Scott in the secondary. PFF has Simpson with zero missed tackles this season in 14 chances, nine receptions in 17 targets (53 percent), and allowing just 16 yards after catch.