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2017 NFL Draft: Ranking the top 50 non-FBS players and their draft projections

The draft is always littered with players from lower level programs and 2017 is no different
by Dane Brugler
Apr 13, 2017

The first round will be well represented by college programs like Ohio State, LSU and Clemson and Michigan might set a record for total selections in a seven-round draft. However, each NFL Draft is littered with prospects from lower level programs outside the FBS and the 2017 class won't be any different.

Here is a look at the top-50 non-FBS prospects in the 2017 NFL Draft:

Day 1 non-FBS prospects (Round 1)

None

Day 2 non-FBS prospects (Rounds 2-3)

1. Adam Shaheen, TE, Ashland (Division II)

Shaheen is an impressive athlete for his size and carries his 278-pound frame well in his routes to be a productive target at every level of the field, also showing the ability to be an asset as a blocker. Although his skill set lacks sophistication, Shaheen's issues are based more on inexperience rather than lack of talent

2. Derek Rivers, DE/OLB, Youngstown State (FCS)

Rivers holds the school career sack record by a wide margin (19.0 more than No. 2 on the list). He has some struggles vs. the run that could limit his pro ceiling, but his get-off, bend and pass rush skills are NFL worthy.

3. Cooper Kupp, WR, Eastern Washington (FCS)

Kupp is a better football player than athlete and makes up for his lack of dynamic traits with technically sound routes, ball skills to catch everything thrown in his direction and the competitive drive needed for the NFL, playing with the mentality that he can't be covered.

4. Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE, Villanova (FCS)

Kpassagnon clearly needs time to develop physically and technically, but he showed intriguing flashes on tape when given a runway off the edge to use his length and long strides -- scouts also speak highly of his mature character and coachable intangibles.

Day 3 non-FBS prospects (Rounds 4-7)

5. Julie'n Davenport, OT, Bucknell (FCS)

Davenport is an impressive athlete for his size with elite length and a basketball background that shows on the football field. While physically gifted, Davenport is very young mentally and moves with undisciplined feet and untidy technique, which leads to balance issues -- will require a patient positional coach to develop his skill-set.

6. Jordan Morgan, OG, Kutztown (Pa.) (Division II)

Morgan went from high school bench-rider to Division II All-American left tackle who attracted NFL scouts to University Field at Andre Reed Stadium. It can be hard to find negative reps on his senior film, dominating Division II competition, which raises the obvious concern about level of competition.

7. Avery Moss, DE, Youngstown State (FCS)

The Nebraska transfer has a toolsy skill set with his heavy hands, aggressive length and lower body athleticism to penetrate the pocket from various angles. His game film is marred by inconsistency and inexperience, but projecting him forward, Moss has the type of foundation traits that can be coached up.

8. Brendan Langley, CB, Lamar (FCS)

Langley bounced between offense and defense at Georgia and struggled to see the field, he moved on to the FCS-level and settled in at cornerback. He often looked like the fastest player on the field for Lamar, finishing his two-year career there with four touchdowns (two punt returns, one receiving and one interception return).

9. Chad Williams, WR, Grambling State (FCS)

Williams didn't look out of place vs. the top competition at the Senior Bowl and his performance at those practices should get him drafted as a development receiver (if his character checks out). He excels above the rim with an intriguing blend of size, athleticism and ball skills to provide a large strike zone for the quarterback.

10. Lorenzo Jerome, S, Saint Francis (Pa.) (FCS)

Jerome doesn't look like much and his lack of length will occasionally show in run support and coverage, but he consistently displayed playmaking skills the last four seasons due to his natural athleticism, ball skills and instincts. His closing burst and nose for the ball jumps off the screen and it is no accident that he is always near the ball.

11. Connor Harris, LB, Lindenwood (Mo.) (Division II)

The NCAA all-division record-holder with 633 career tackles, Harris is a true "see-ball, get-ball" hunter and plays patient, controlled and smart to anticipate the action and get a head start on his angles. His production is off-the-charts, but faces an obvious jump in competition from Division II to the NFL.


12. Jessamen Dunker, OT/OG, Tennessee State (FCS)

A Florida transfer, Dunker mirrors well with bounce in his feet, displaying NFL quality movement skills, but requires strength and technique development before he is ready for next level snaps. Although his character needs to check out, he has the body type and athleticism to be a worthy project for an offensive line coach, probably best inside at guard.


13. Eric Saubert, TE, Drake (FCS)

Saubert has the speed and ball attacking skills to be a mismatch vs. linebackers, using his fluid strides and long arms to give his quarterback a large target down the field. While his highlight reel is impressive, he needs to eliminate the drops to stay on a NFL roster and his route-running and blocking are both areas that are currently underdeveloped.

14. DeAngelo Henderson, RB, Coastal Carolina (FCS)

Henderson is a tough, instinctive ballcarrier with the natural balance and athletic feet to make defenders miss in the hole before doing damage at the second level. He also set the NCAA Division I (FBS or FCS) record with a touchdown in 35 consecutive games (every game the past three years).

15. Tarik Cohen, RB, North Carolina A&T (FCS)

At 5 feet, 6 inches and 179 pounds, Cohen is obviously undersized, both in stature and build, and doesn't have the body type to take consistent NFL punishment, but he runs with naturally low pad level and is an exciting athlete with the ball in his hands. Cohen has explosive cutting ability and easily changes directions without slowing, displaying vision and toughness that will translate to the next level.


16. Dylan Cole, LB, Missouri State (FCS)

Cole is an above average athlete with impressive speed and closing burst to make stops all over the field. Overall, he needs to find the ball quicker to avoid mental mistakes and see defensive snaps in the NFL, but his athleticism and football character are NFL worthy.


17. Dylan Donahue, DE, West Georgia (Division II)

Donahue, who combined for 25.5 sacks the past two seasons, has only average athleticism and power, but his motor is always locked in high gear, allowing him to play faster and stronger than he appears. He also does a nice job staying balanced while leaning into blockers to compensate for his shorter arms.


18. Nate Theaker, OT/OG, Wayne State (Division II)

Theaker dominated undersized edge rushers at the Division II level with his physical mentality, uprooting defenders when his knees are bent and hand placement is right. As he transitions to the next level and faces much better competition, there are three main questions: can he learn to drop his hips, not play so high and stay healthy?


19. Grover Stewart, DT, Albany State (Ga.) (Division II)

Stewart is a coordinated big man and physical bully, beating blockers with his natural size and gifts more than technique or efficient hand moves. He lacks polish, but Stewart is a flash performer, showing that he can rush the passer and anchor vs. the run.


20. Jerry Ugokwe, OT, William & Mary (FCS)

Ugokwe was blessed with prototypical size and arm length, but needs to do more with it, failing to consistently land his punches to keep rushers at bay. He is clearly a project at this point in his development and isn't near ready to face NFL rushers, but Ugokwe is a sharp individual who takes well to coaching and could be a gem three years from now.


21. Erik Austell, OG/OC, Charleston Southern (FCS)

A high school quarterback and middle linebacker, Austell didn't move to offensive line until 2013 and has shown considerable development the past four seasons, adding 65 pounds since arriving in Charleston. He is the first player in school history to earn a NFL combine invite and is attempting to be the first Charleston Southern player drafted in the NFL.


22. Ezra Robinson, CB, Tennessee State (FCS)

Play speed is critical for the position and although he checks that box, Robinson doesn't play with any sense of discipline or technique in coverage and that won't fly once he gets into a camp. Overall, the Michigan State transfer is a raw height/weight/speed athlete at the position with ball skills.


23. Alek Torgersen, QB, Penn (FCS)

While his physical characteristics aren't elite, Torgersen has passable size, arm strength and athleticism to see snaps at the NFL level. His tape shows a succinct decision-maker, but he faces a difficult transition and has never played anything close to resembling a pro defense.


24. Keionta Davis, DE, UT-Chattanooga (FCS)

Davis is at his best when he stays low off the snap and uses his power-packed upper body to generate force, but his rush often gets off-schedule, lacking the suddenness to recover and factor into the play. Overall, he has the length and sturdy build that fits the pro game, but teams are also working overtime to figure out his injury situation.


25. Jylan Ware, OT, Alabama State (FCS)

Ware played in a run heavy offense at Alabama State and flashed the raw power to redirect defenders with his long arms and grip strength, but was even better in pass protection, showing the lateral movement skills to mirror and cut off speed. He is a developmental project with upside.


Priority free agents

26. Michael Coe, OG/OC, North Dakota (FCS)
27. Xavier Coleman, CB, Portland State (FCS)
28. Krishawn Hogan, WR, Marian (NAIA)
29. Samson Ebukam, DE/OLB, Eastern Washington (FCS)
30. Billy Brown, WR/TE, Shepherd (Division II)
31. David Jones, S, Richmond (FCS)
32. Corey Levin, OG, UT-Chattanooga (FCS)
33. Javarius Leamon, OT, South Carolina State (FCS)
34. Javancy Jones, DE/OLB, Jackson State (FCS)
35. Cameron Lee, OG, Illinois State (FCS)
36. Jamal Agnew, CB, San Diego (FCS)
37. Roderick Henderson, NT, Alabama State (FCS)
38. Brad Seaton, OT, Villanova (FCS)
39. Garry Brown, WR, California (Pa.) (Division -II)
40. Brandon Barnes, TE, Alabama State (FCS)
41. Patrick Ricard, DL, Maine (FCS)
42. Jeremy Faulk, DT, Garden City Community College
43. Antony Auclair, TE, Laval (Canada)
44. Ethan Cooper, OG, California (Pa.) (Division II)
45. Andrey Avgi, TE, Western Oregon (Division II)
46. Dante Blackmon, CB, Kennesaw State (FCS)
47. Josh Thornton, CB, Southern Utah (FCS)
48. Collin Bevins, DL, NW Missouri State (Division II)
49. Phazahn Odom, TE, Fordham (FCS)
50. Kade Harrington, RB, Lamar (Texas) (FCS)
 
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