Since the conclusion of the NFL Draft that saw only one Auburn player chosen in 254 picks, five Tigers have signed deals with NFL teams through rookie free agency.
The San Francisco 49ers' 88th overall selection in the third round of defensive end Corey Lemonier was one of only four times in the last 20 years that one or no Auburn players were selected in the draft. The 49ers traded up five spots from the 93rd pick with the Green Bay Packers to snag Lemonier.
A defensive end at Auburn, Lemonier is expected to play outside linebacker in the 3-4 defense of head coach Jim Harbaugh. The 49ers saw success in shifting former Missouri defensive end Aldon Smith to outside linebacker and look to do the same with Lemonier.
Following the draft, three Auburn players signed free agent deals with the St. Louis Rams that included tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen, wide receiver Emory Blake and linebacker Daren Bates.
Auburn's all-time leader in tight end touchdown receptions, Lutzenkirchen will join six other players at his position under head coach Jeff Fisher heading into the team's mini camp.
Bates, who led the Tigers in 2012 with 94 tackles will attempt to switch positions to safety after drawing attention for his unofficial 4.53-second 40 time at Auburn's pro day. The Rams drafted free safety T.J. McDonald in the third round from Southern Cal number 71 overall.
Leading all Auburn receivers last year with 50 receptions for 789 yards and three touchdowns, Blake was signed late Monday, April 29 to the Rams.
The Cincinnati Bengals signed running back Onterio McCalebb and offensive guard John Sullen to undrafted free agent contracts via their agents.
McCalebb is expected to play a special teams role as a kick returner with his incredible speed that wowed scouts at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. His unofficial 4.21-second 40 time that registered officially 4.34-seconds was near the top of all competitors at the event.
After the 2013 NFL Draft and undrafted rookie free agency, there are now 37 former Auburn players on NFL rosters
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