If you think NFL players only come out of the FBS, take two aspirin and check the draft lists. The highly respected site NFLDraftScout.com already says the FCS features several top picks for the NFL Draft — in 2019. 

[divider]MORE: Compare Any Two FCS Players or Any Two FCS Teams
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In the 2018 NFL Draft, 19 FCS players were selected in the NFL Draft, and more than 200 overall got a shot through free agency. There will be similar opportunities for some of the elite 2019 FCS prospects — and there is still time to 'trend upwards' on this list. ​What we've done is found FCS stars from the class of 2019, their projected position rank from NFLDraftScout and used the 2018 draft — or the average of the last five drafts — to give us a ballpark idea of where an individual may be taken based on their position ranking.

NOTE: Please note that big-time DB prospect Rashad Robinson of James Madison — among others — suffered a season-ending injury and will now redshirt in 2018 and play his final season in 2019, making him a top prospect for the 2020 draft.[divider]

THE TOP FIVE FCS PROSPECTS – 2019

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5. JORDAN BROWN, CB – SOUTH DAKOTA STATE

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SDSU Athletics[/credit]

2019 PROJECTION: Rated No. 20 cornerback by NFLDraftScout – The No. 20 CB taken went in the 5th round this year.
2017 STATS: Had 14 starts, 72 tackles, 3 INTs, 9 passes defensed and 3 forced fumbles. 

A true playmaker in the secondary for the Jackrabbits, when a play needs to be made – he makes it. A native of talent hotbed Arizona — an area South Dakota State head coach John Stiegelmeier has told HERO Sports is an SDSU "go-to" recruiting location — Brown combines the knack for big plays with a blanket-like coverage ability that has turned the heads of scouts. As a sophomore, he picked off TCU, while against NDSU, he seems to save some of his best games for the rival Bison. His receiving records in high school prove he has excellent hands.[divider]

4. DERICK ROBERSON, DE – SAM HOUSTON STATE

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Sam Houston State Athletics[/credit]

2019 PROJECTION: Rated No. 16 D-end by NFLDraftScout – and the No. 16 DE was drafted in the 5th round last year.
2017 STATS: Had 5 sacks last year playing on the same line as NFL Draft Pick P.J. Hall.

Roberson has been a terror this year on opposing offenses. Once a big time Power Five conference recruit who signed with Texas, he came to Sam Houston State and immediately made his mark, and now he has pundits like Mel Kiper talking him up. Once again this year, he has been a tackle-for-loss and sack machine, destroying backfields all year. Don't be surprised if he continues to rise.

HERDER: Mel Kiper Jr: SHSU Defensive End Derick Roberson Could Be A Day 2 NFL Draft Pick

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3. DONALD PARHAM, TE – STETSON
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Stetson Athletics[/credit]

2019 PROJECTION: Rated No. 11 tight end by NFLDraftScout – The No. 11 TE went in the 5th round this year.
CAREER STATS: He has 168 career receptions and 2,334 yards and 17 TDs.

Parham would love to follow in the footsteps of another Donald from Stetson who has made true on his dream of reaching the NFL — Donald Payne. Parham stands 6-foot-8 and causes all kinds of matchup problems for opposing defenses. He can catch like a receiver but has the size of a tight end, so it'll be interesting to see how scouts view him over the next six months.[divider]

2. NASIR ADDERLEY, CB – DELAWARE

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Delaware Athletics[/credit]

2019 PROJECTION: Rated No. 14 cornerback by NFLDraftScout – The No. 14 CB taken went in the 4th round this year.
2017 STATS: Finished with 78 tackles and had a team-high 42 solo tackles. Adderley added five interceptions, which he returned for a total of 135 yards.

There is no better way to describe Adderley than as a human highlight reel. He can cover, he can hit and he can make plays with the ball in his hand. Adderley is entering his fourth season as a starting cornerback. He finished second on the team last year with 78 tackles and had a team-high 42 solo tackles. Adderley added five interceptions, which he returned for a total of 135 yards, and two forced fumbles. He channeled his inner Odell Beckham Jr. on one interception and made it on SportsCenter's Top Plays.[divider]

1. EMMANUEL BUTLER, WR – NORTHERN ARIZONA

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NAU Athletics[/credit]

2019 PROJECTION: Rated No. 6 receiver by NFLDraftScout – The No. 6 WR taken in the 2018 draft went in the 2nd round.
2017 STATS: Injury-stunted season held him to 6 catches, 95 yards and 0 TDs in just two games. 

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Butler went through another injury-plagued year NAU's stud quarterback Case Cookus, as it always seemed if one was healthy, the other was hurt — but it won't hurt Butler's draft stock. Butler's injury was so early in 2017, he was able to get another year of eligibility, and a chance to give scouts even more of an opportunity to check him out. He had back-to-back 1,000 yard receiving seasons in 2015 and 2016 and has 26 career receiving TDs. He's a big prospect this year, and still has managed to catch 33 passes for more than 600 yards and 6 TDs.[divider]

The Next Best FCS 2019 NFL Draft Prospects

EDITOR'S NOTE: The 2019 chart includes only rising seniors from FCS schools, though obviously underclassmen could declare early for the draft. All data below is based on NFLDraftScout.com's early ratings for 2019.

NOTE: We show you the athlete's NFLDraftScout position rank ("P-RK") and then where that P-RK generally is drafted (last five years' average).

FCS 2019 – THE NEXT BEST

EDITOR'S NOTE: Every year, FCS players explode onto the scene and become big-time draft prospects after their senior seasons. Ask Kyle Lauletta or P.J. Hall what that is like. There are players on the list below — and players not even on the list below — who will be drafted next year. Based on NFLDraftScout's positional rankings, here are some FCS players you may want to keep an eye on going forward.