Kiper has 27 from FCS in draft top 300

(STATS) - The face of NFL draft analysis likes the look of FCS prospects this year.

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., one of the original national draft experts, includes 27 FCS players in his top 300 rankings heading into the three-day draft which begins Thursday night. There will be 256 selections over seven rounds.

Included in Kiper's top 100 are South Dakota State tight end Dallas Goedert (No. 31), Richmond quarterback Kyle Lauletta (79) and South Carolina State linebacker Darius Leonard (94). Kiper's FCS top five is rounded out by Northern Iowa wide receiver Daurice Fountain (111) and Stony Brook offensive tackle Timon Parris (133).

Kiper has called Goedert "the most complete tight end in this class," comparing him to Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz.

A typical draft yields 18 selections from the FCS. More than 100 other FCS players usually sign free agent contracts or have tryouts with NFL teams.