The FCS has had a low number of NFL Draft picks the last couple of years. Six players were selected in both the 2021 and 2020 drafts, compared to 14 in 2019, 19 in 2018, 15 in 2017, and 20 in 2016.
The 2022 draft class is looking strong, although it may not be as top-heavy as 2021 when all six picks were in the first four rounds.
Using Draft Scout’s database HERO Sports subscribes to, seven FCS players are already viewed as potential picks in the upcoming draft. Keep in mind that many FCS players rise on draft boards after all-star games and pro days.
Here’s who Draft Scout has projected as 2022 NFL Draft picks right now:
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UNI OT Trevor Penning
Draft Scout’s Projected Round: 2nd
Penning looks to be the second straight UNI offensive lineman to be drafted after Buffalo selected Spencer Brown in the third round in 2021. He is currently Draft Scout’s top-ranked offensive tackle.
Penning is a monster at 6-foot-7 and 321 pounds. And he’s showing the power and athleticism that NFL scouts drool over with strong film against FCS and FBS opponents.
SDSU RB Pierre Strong, Jr.
Draft Scout’s Projected Round: 4th
Strong has risen on many draft boards since the start of this season. The MVFC has seen recent RBs have success in the NFL like UNI’s David Johnson and Illinois State’s James Robinson, and Strong is arguably as talented as those two players.
At 5-foot-11 and 205 pounds, Strong is a complete back. He rushed for 1,116 yards and 11 TDs as a redshirt freshman in 2018, 1,018 yards and eight TDs in 2019, 707 yards and three TDs in the spring of 2021, and has 823 yards rushing and 10 scores through seven games this season.
SUU OT Braxton Jones
Draft Scout’s Projected Round: 4th-5th
A 2019 HERO Sports Sophomore All-American, Jones caught the attention of many NFL scouts in the spring of 2021 and his stock has shot up since.
At 6-foot-7 and 310 pounds, Jones is described as long, powerful, athletic, and an NFL-caliber mover in space.
NDSU WR Christian Watson
Draft Scout’s Projected Round: 4th-5th
Listed at 6-foot-5 and 208 pounds, Watson may rise even more in his draft projections when scouts see his measurables, notably his speed that has hit 23 miles per hour on the football field.
Watson won’t put up staggering numbers in NDSU’s offense, but his raw abilities will be more valued anyway. He has 84 career catches for 1,822 yards and 12 TDs. Watson is also a weapon on special teams with 538 kick return yards and two scores on 19 attempts.
Nicholls WR Dai’Jean Dixon
Draft Scout’s Projected Round: 6th
Dixon was a 2021 NFL prospect, but he decided to return for this fall season after playing in the spring. He is a big-time target at 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds who has been productive against FCS and FBS opponents.
Dixon caught a combined 12 TDs as a true freshman and sophomore in 2017 and 2018. In 2019, he had 1,044 yards receiving and eight TDs, then added 514 yards and seven touchdowns in the spring of 2021. Through seven games this season, he already has 56 catches for 803 yards and seven TDs. Dixon caught seven passes for 107 yards against FBS Memphis, then hauled in 14 catches for 198 yards and two scores against FBS Louisiana.
NDSU TE Noah Gindorff
Draft Scout’s Projected Round: 6th
Could NDSU have multiple draft picks for the second year in a row? Trey Lance was selected in the first round in 2021, Dillon Radunz went in the second round, and Jabril Cox (who grad transferred to LSU) was picked in the fourth round.
Along with Watson, Gindorff has seen his NFL stock rise. He is 6-foot-6 and 266 pounds, a reliable red-zone target, and an excellent run-blocker. Gindorff has 10 receiving TDs and 341 yards off of 29 catches in his Bison career.
FAMU SS Markquese Bell
Draft Scout’s Projected Round: 7th
Bell makes plays all over the field from his safety position. At 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, he has elite size in the secondary and is especially strong against the run. He makes his presence felt defending the pass as well.
Against FBS South Florida this season, Bell racked up 15 tackles, one TFL, one sack, and a forced fumble. On the year, he has 47 tackles, four TFLs, two sacks, and two forced fumbles. In 2019, Bell recorded 61 tackles, five TFLs, two forced fumbles, five interceptions, and nine pass breakups.
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