How draft analysts view the top FCS prospects
(STATS) - If NFL draft analysts agree on one thing - and sometimes it's only one thing - South Dakota State tight end Dallas Goedert will be the first FCS player selected in this year's draft.
After Goedert is selected in likely the first or second round, the way it plays out could go in many directions, but most signs point to this being a good year for draftable FCS talent.
In the last 10 years, the FCS has averaged 18 selections, with the 24 in 2008 the high and last year's 15 tying for the low.
Below, three leading draft evaluators of the FCS provided their top 15 prospects to STATS. The draft will be held April 26-28 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
---=
Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout, senior NFL Draft analyst
"This year's class of FCS prospects has a little bit of everything, including a possible first-round pick in South Dakota State tight end Dallas Goedert. Richmond quarterback Kyle Lauletta isn't Jimmy Garoppolo and shouldn't have those expectations, but he is a really talented passer who will be a long-time pro. And this FCS group also has some of the draft's most talented sleepers like Combine snubs wide receiver Daurice Fountain and defensive tackle P.J. Hall. Overall, the FCS talent adds a jolt to the 2018 draft class."
1. Dallas Goedert, TE South Dakota State: 2nd round
2. Kyle Lauletta, QB, Richmond: 3rd
3. P.J. Hall, DE, Sam Houston State: 4th
4. Davontae Harris, CB, Illinois State: 4th
5. Daurice Fountain, WR, Northern Iowa: 4th
6. Brandon Parker, OT, North Carolina A&T: 4th
7. Skyler Phillips, OG, Idaho State: 4th-5th
8. Bilal Nichols, DT, Delaware: 5th
9. Darius Leonard, OLB, South Carolina State: 5th
10. Timon Parris, OT, Stony Brook: 5th-6th
11: Justin Watson, WR, Penn: 6th
12. Roc Thomas, RB, Jacksonville State: 6th
13. Siran Neal, SS, Jacksonville State: 6th
14. Jamil Demby, OG, Maine: 6th-7th
15. John Franklin, DE, Stephen F. Austin: 6th-7th
---=
Josh Buchanan, Phil Steele Publications small school draft analyst
"This class has a very good day 2 and early day 3 draft class with at least two or three going in the second or third round and several who could go as high as the fourth or early fifth round. The best position groups are cornerback and wide receiver. I have 11 corners in my top 40 FCS prospects. The pro day circuit was very good for most of my top Combine snubs. The only player who I felt hurt himself during pro days was Stony Brook tackle Timon Parris, who was not fully healed (from a lower-leg injury) and tested very poorly, so he could be a late-round pick or priority free agent despite putting up third- to fifth-round-type tape. I have 15 FCS players getting drafted, but we could see as many as 19-22 selected, depending on how many surprise picks we have."
1. Dallas Goedert, TE South Dakota State: 1st-2nd round
2. Darius Leonard, OLB, South Carolina State: 3rd-4th
3. Brandon Parker, OT, North Carolina A&T: 3rd-4th
4. P.J. Hall, DT, Sam Houston State: 3rd-4th
5. Kyle Lauletta, QB, Richmond: 4th-5th
6. Daurice Fountain, WR, Northern Iowa: 5th
7. Justin Watson, WR, Penn: 5th-6th
8. Bilal Nichols, DT, Delaware: 5th-6th
9. Taron Johnson, CB, Weber State: 6th
10. Davontae Harris, CB, Illinois State: 6th
11. Skyler Phillips, OG, Idaho State: 6th-7th
12. John Franklin, DE, Stephen F. Austin: 6th-7th
13. Tremon Smith, CB, Central Arkansas: 6th-7th
14. Jamil Demby, OG, Maine: 7th
15. Siran Neal, FS, Jacksonville State: 7th
---=
Scott Wright, DraftCountdown.com owner and lead draft analyst
"Goedert has a chance to be the first tight end selected in the 2018 NFL Draft, perhaps in the first round. That in and of itself makes this an impressive FCS class. I also came away from the Senior Bowl a big fan of Leonard, who offers a nice blend of size and range and looks like a Day 2 pick. Lauletta is very interesting and really opened some eyes at the Senior Bowl as well. In my mind, he's a Day 3 prospect who profiles as more of a backup at the next level, but there have been whispers he could sneak into the top 100 overall."
1. Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State: 1st-2nd round
2. Darius Leonard, OLB, South Carolina State: 3rd
3. Brandon Parker, OT, North Carolina A&T: 4th
4. Skyler Phillips, OG, Idaho State: 5th
5. Kyle Lauletta, QB, Richmond: 5th
6. Siran Neal, SS, Jacksonville State: 6th
7. Bilal Nichols, DT, Delaware: 6th
8. Davontae Harris, CB, Illinois State: 6th
9. John Franklin, DE, Stephen F. Austin: 6th
10. Timon Parris, OT, Stony Brook: 6th
11. Daurice Fountain, WR, Northern Iowa: 6th
12. Taron Johnson, CB, Weber State: 7th
13. Darius Jackson, DE, Jacksonville State: 7th
14. Roc Thomas, RB, Jacksonville State: 7th
15. Danny Johnson, CB, Southern: 7th