AUBURN — Auburn football's offense needs to be better in 2024.

The running game was fine last season, but the passing attack left far too much to be desired on the way to posting an SEC-worst 162.2 passing yards per game. The offense often struggled to move the ball against SEC opponents, and that put the defense in difficult situations.

Some offseason additions will be enough to change things, Tigers coach Hugh Freeze hopes.

Here's how we see the depth chart lining up ahead of the first practice of fall camp Thursday:

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Quarterback

1. Payton Thorne

2. Hank Brown

3. Holden Geriner

4. Walker White

Thorne will be the starter again. That's set. The main question is who will be be his backup. We opted to go with Brown, given the fact that he was recruited by Freeze and because he impressed, albeit in limited action, against Maryland in the Music City Bowl to end last season.

Running back

1. Jarquez Hunter

2. Damari Alston

3. Jeremiah Cobb

4. Sean Jackson

Hunter received preseason All-SEC honors at media days earlier this month, but Freeze still thinks the senior running back is underrated. Expect a heavy rotation between the top three at this position. If anyone goes down with an injury, Sean Jackson will be available.

Note: Brian Battie remains on the roster, but he was critically injured in a shooting May 18. He's been progressing in his recovery, recently taking his first steps (while using a cane) since the incident.

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Wide receiver (boundary)

1. Cam Coleman

2. Camden Brown

3. Perry Thompson

The fact of the matter is Coleman likely needs to live up to his five-star ranking in order for Auburn to be successful in 2024. Expectations are high for the true freshman, but they come with the territory of being the second highest-rated recruit to ever sign with the program.

Wide receiver (boundary)

1. KeAndre Lambert-Smith

2. Caleb Burton III

3. Malcolm Simmons

Lambert-Smith led Penn State in receiving yards in 2023, and Auburn beat out Texas A&M to land him from the transfer portal during the offseason. In a room full of inexperience, Lambert-Smith should be a reliable option for Thorne to look to.

Wide receiver (slot)

1. Robert Lewis

2. Sam Jackson V

3. Bryce Cain

None of these players were on the roster last season, as Lewis and Jackson transferred in from Georgia State and Cal, respectively, and Cain is a freshman. Jackson hasn't played receiver since high school, and Cain just started playing football a handful of years ago. Lewis is going to have to be leaned on.

Tight end

1. Rivaldo Fairweather

2. Luke Deal

3. Brandon Frazier

4. Micah Riley

5. Rico Walker

Despite being a member of the All-SEC second team at the end of last season, Fairweather missed the cut for the preseason team at media days. He's the SEC's No. 2 returning tight end in terms of receiving yards, and he may have some more opportunties to show off his skills this season with talented pieces such as Coleman and Lambert-Smith around him.

Left tackle

1. Percy Lewis

2. Tyler Johnson

3. Ronan Chambers

Johnson is set to be Auburn's swing tackle, which is huge for the Tigers to have in case of injury or poor play. Adding Lewis from the portal this offseason was a big move, not only because he was a starter at Mississippi State, but also because it allowed for the Tigers to kick a key piece of the line inside.

Left guard

1. Dillon Wade

2. Jaden Muskrat

3. Bradyn Joiner

4. DeAndre Carter

Wade started every game at left tackle for Auburn last year, but the arrival of Lewis gave him the opportunity to move to left guard. Muskrat figures to be the No. 1 interior option off the bench.

Center

1. Connor Lew

2. Tate Johnson

3. Dylan Senda

The plan wasn't for Lew to play as much as he did as a freshman in 2023, but injuries forced him into the starting lineup midway through last season. He held his own, and those reps should only serve him well as he prepares for his second campaign.

Right guard

1. Jeremiah Wright

2. EJ Harris

3. Clay Wedin

Freeze has praised for Wright for putting everything together this offseason. His improved play has given the Tigers the potential to have a real strength along the interior of the line between himself, Lew and Wade.

Right tackle

1. Izavion Miller

2. Seth Wilfred

3. Favour Edwin

Edwin, a true freshman, may need some more experience before he moves up the depth chart. A similar thing could be said for Wilfred, who joined the Tigers from junior college this offseason. Miller struggled at times in 2023, but similar to Lew, those reps should set him up to be better in 2024.

Richard Silva is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at rsilva@gannett.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rich_silva18.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn football depth chart: Predicting offense before fall camp