Remaining D1-FCS Teams
2020 NFL Draft Prospects
Elijah Bell, WR, North Carolina A&T
Career Snapshot: Four-year starter who earned Second Team All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference honors in three of his four seasons at North Carolina A&T. Made 55 catches for 855 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior in 2019. Earned First Team All-MEAC honors and made 64 receptions for 953 yards and a school-record 11 touchdowns as a sophomore. Led the MEAC with 18 yards per catch and ranked second in the conference with eight TD catches as a true freshman.
Positives: Large receiver who battles to come away with the difficult catch. Displays focus and concentration, tracks the pass in the air and shows excellent awareness. Extends his hands to offer the quarterback a target and makes the catch away from his frame. Possesses both soft and strong hands. Keeps the play in bounds after the catch. Gives effort as a blocker.
Negatives: Lacks a quick release off the line of scrimmage. Lacks a second gear and any sort of burst.
Analysis: Bell is a solid prospect with size, long arms and reliable hands. He possesses speed and quickness deficiencies, but he’s a big-bodied receiver who could make a depth chart as a fifth wideout.
Mason Bennett, DE, North Dakota
Career Snapshot: Two-year starter who made 39 tackles (6.5 for loss) with 5.5 sacks and two pass breakups as a senior in 2019. Made 40 tackles (14 for loss) with nine sacks as a junior.
Positives: Tough, explosive small-school defensive end with average size and speed. Focused on by opponents, plays with terrific pad level and keeps his feet moving. Resilient, gives effort and works his hands throughout the action.
Rarely off his feet and occasionally stands over tackle. Moves well laterally, slides down the line of scrimmage and gives effort against the run. Covers a good amount of area on the field in pursuit. Above-average speed off the edge as a pass rusher.
Negatives: Occasionally stands over tackle but is marginally effective as a pass rusher. Lacks great closing burst and plays to his 40 time. Struggles to handle blocks and even gets controlled by tight ends.
Analysis: Bennett is a tough, hard-charging defensive end who was a terror at the small-school level, but he lacks the size and speed for the NFL. His resiliency and intensity could help him catch on as an eighth defensive lineman.
Chris Blair, WR, Alcorn State
Career Snapshot: Two-year starter who caught 44 passes for 931 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior in 2019. Made 43 catches for 529 yards and six TDs as a junior.
Positives: Nice-sized receiver who flashes dominance. Tracks the pass in the air and adjusts to the errant throw. Makes the difficult catch and contorts to the ball. Has nice length, extends his hands and snatches the ball away from his frame. Uses his hands to separate from defenders and quickly gets in and out of breaks.
Negatives: Doesn’t play to his 40 time, lacks a burst and cannot run to the deep throw. Average production at the college level.
Analysis: Blair is a reliable pass catcher with nice size and timed speed. He must improve the details of his position and learn to play to his 40 time, but he should get practice-squad consideration this summer at the very least.
Kevin Davidson, QB, Princeton
Career Snapshot: First-year starter who was named Honorable Mention All-Ivy League and completed 66.8 percent of his passes for 2,569 yards and 20 touchdowns with six interceptions as a senior in 2019.
Positives: Big-bodied, strong-armed pocket passer with big upside. Patient in the pocket, scans the field and takes a big hit in order to get the throw away. Throws with an over-the-top delivery, has a live arm and easily gets the ball downfield with a flick of his wrist.
Delivers passes with terrific speed and velocity from the pocket or on the move. Puts deep throws in front of receivers and let them run to the pass. Shows the ability to stand in against the rush and make the throw on the move.
Negatives: Must improve his footwork when he sets up to deliver the ball. Must sense the rush better. Does not display great pocket awareness. Possesses average field vision and does not always find players in the defensive back seven.
Analysis: Davidson was not even mentioned by scouts coming into the season, but he played incredibly well as a senior and possesses the physical skills to make an NFL roster. He’s a developmental signal caller who must improve the consistency of his accuracy, but he possesses all the tools necessary to make an active roster in the NFL.
Khayyan Edwards, DE, Tennessee Chattanooga
Career Snapshot: Two-year starter who earned Second Team All-Southern Conference honors and made 48 tackles (six for loss) with 2.5 sacks as a senior in 2019. Made 46 tackles (five for loss) with two sacks and two forced fumbles as a junior.
Positives: Undersized college defensive end who projects to outside linebacker in the NFL. Plays with good pad level and keeps his feet moving. Slides down the line of scrimmage and gives effort against the run. Jolts blockers and knocks them back off the line with terrific hand punch. Resilient and works hard. Possesses good change-of-direction skills.
Negatives: Out of position in Chattanooga’s three-man line. Consistently outpositioned and blocked from the action. Possesses average speed.
Analysis: Edwards flashed ability the past two seasons, but he lacks great measurables for the next level. He’s a 3-4 outside linebacker prospect who must quickly make plays in camp this summer to make a practice squad.
Dieter Eiselen, G, Yale
Career Snapshot: Three-year starter at guard who earned First Team All-Ivy League honors as a senior in 2019. Earned Second Team All-Ivy League honors as a junior. Named Honorable Mention All-Ivy League as a sophomore.
Positives: Wide-bodied lineman who dominates in a small area. Strong, fires into blocks and easily controls opponents at the point of attack. Possesses outstanding overall body strength, jolts defenders with outstanding hand punch and drives them from the line. Stays square and keeps his feet moving.
Negatives: Heavy-footed, lumbers around the field and lacks footwork in space. Lacks great mobility and agility.
Analysis: Eiselen possesses terrific size and strength and could develop into a backup guard at the next level outside of a zone-blocking system.
Chris Favoroso, DE, Duquesne
Career Snapshot: Transfer from Montana who started his final season at Duquesne. Earned Second Team All-Northeast Conference honors and made 43 tackles (nine for loss) with 7.5 sacks as a senior in 2019. Made 31 tackles (four for loss) with 2.5 sacks as a junior.
Positives: Underrated pass rusher who can come out of a three-point stance or stand over tackle. Plays with balance and body control and flashes the ability to rush the edge. Uses his hands well, nicely redirects to the action and shows the ability to immediately alter his angle of attack. Plays with proper lean and leverage and fluidly moves down the line of scrimmage in pursuit.
Negatives: Lacks strength and gets controlled at the point by a single blocker. Easily knocked from the action by tight ends at times. Lacks an explosive first step off the snap.
Analysis: Favoroso caught my eye as a sophomore at Montana and displayed himself to be a solid pass rusher and a constant nuisance for opponents. He’s likely better standing over tackle in a 3-4 alignment, and Favoroso comes with a special-teams mentality.
Cam Gill, OLB, Wagner
Career Snapshot: Three-year starter who earned Third Team FCS All-America honors in each of his final two seasons at Wagner. Made 60 tackles (20 for loss) with 9.5 sacks and three forced fumbles as a senior in 2019. Made 61 tackles (24 for loss) with 13.5 sacks and three forced fumbles as a junior. Posted 53 tackles and 11 sacks as a sophomore.
Positives: Athletic small-school linebacker who plays much faster than his 40 time. Fluid, displays good change-of-direction skills and shows the ability to immediately alter his angle of attack. Rarely off his feet and plays with balance and body control. Agile, possesses a closing burst and wraps up tackling. Displays speed both in a straight line and laterally.
Negatives: Primarily used up the field at Wagner and rarely asked to drop into coverage. Struggles to get through blocks. Had an up-and-down week during Shrine Game practices.
Analysis: Gill is a solid 4-3 outside-linebacker prospect who must learn to make plays in reverse as effectively as he does downhill. He offers decent upside and should get practice-squad consideration this fall at the very least.
Pete Guerriero, RB, Monmouth
Career Snapshot: Two-year starter who earned First Team FCS All-America honors, rushed 298 times for 1,955 yards and 18 touchdowns and caught 32 passes for 336 yards and two TDs as a senior in 2019. Carried 134 times for 918 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior.
Positives: Smallish, instinctive ball carrier who finds ways to pick up positive yardage. Patient, waits for blocks to develop and displays a burst through the hole. Quick-footed with the ability to bounce around piles and defenders, effectively follows blocks everywhere on the field and will pick and choose his spots.
Displays outstanding vision, sifts through the trash and works runs. Consistently runs north and south. Helps the quarterback sell ball fakes. Solid receiver out of the backfield who adjusts to the errant throw and grabs the pass from the air.
Negatives: Lacks strength and doesn’t pick up a lot of yardage off initial contact. Possesses more of a burst of speed than the ability to run to daylight.
Analysis: Guerriero was a solid all-around back at Monmouth who did a good job as a ball carrier and as a pass catcher. He lacks breakaway speed, but he’s skilled enough to make an NFL roster as a rotational ball carrier.
A.J. Hines, RB, Duquesne
Career Snapshot: Four-year starter who earned Northeast Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors and rushed 266 times for 1,520 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior in 2018. Earned Second Team All-NEC honors and carried 191 times for 780 yards and six TDs as a senior. Earned First Team All-NEC honors as a true freshman and rushed 242 times for 1,291 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2016. Missed two games due to injury in 2019.
Positives: Large, rough-and-tumble ball carrier who grinds it out on the inside. Powerful, moves the pile and picks up a lot of yardage off initial contact. Rarely tackled by the first defender and does not go down without a fight. Patient, effectively uses blocks and finds the running lanes.
Negatives: Not a quick cutback runner and loses momentum when he tries to change direction. Lacks the speed and quickness to turn the corner. Gets in trouble when he tries to run east and west.
Analysis: Hines possesses the size and strength to be a short-yardage runner, but he has limitations. He could eventually develop into a lead fullback.
Jackson Dennis, OT, Holy Cross
Career Snapshot: Two-year starter at tackle.
Positives: Large blocker with upside. Possesses excellent length, keeps his head on a swivel and displays good recognition. Bends his knees, makes terrific use of angles and body positioning and seals defenders from the action. Keeps his feet moving, flashes the ability to adjust and gets his hands into defenders to knock them from their angles of attack. Explosive at the point and strong.
Negatives: Displays limited footwork and cannot slide off the edge. Not light on his feet and ineffective in motion.
Analysis: Dennis is a size prospect who plays smart, tough football. He’s a practice-squad player who could turn into an inexpensive backup at right tackle.
Jon Kanda, TE, Marist
Career Snapshot: Three-year starter who was named Honorable Mention All Pioneer Football League in each of his final two seasons at Marist. Made 28 receptions for 287 yards as a senior in 2019. Caught 28 passes for 394 yards and six touchdowns as a junior. Moved from wide receiver to tight end before the 2017 season.
Positives: Consistent pass-catching tight end who occasionally lines up in the slot. Fluid, nicely adjusts to the errant throw and displays a lot of toughness after the catch. Sells routes, plays with balance and body control and effectively uses the sidelines. Boxes out opponents with his frame, displays solid hand-eye coordination and plays faster than his 40 time. Works blocks and plays with a nasty attitude.
Negatives: Possesses poor size and speed. One-speed tight end who lacks a downfield burst. Will struggle to block at the next level.
Analysis: Kanda has shown development the past two years, and while he may struggle to make it out of camp this summer, he should get practice-squad consideration.
Reed Klubnik, WR, Yale
Career Snapshot: Two-year starter who earned First Team All-Ivy League honors in both of those seasons. Made 55 catches for 1,002 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior in 2019. Caught 73 passes for 1,143 yards and nine TDs as a junior. Suffered a season-ending back injury seven games into the 2017 season.
Positives: Nice-sized possession receiver with reliable hands. Plays with balance and body control, stays low out of breaks and displays hand-eye coordination and focus. Extends his hands to snatch the fastball from the air, takes a big hit and holds onto the throw. Adjusts to the errant throw and display soft and strong hands.
Negatives: Possesses average speed and quickness. Lacks burst. Struggles to separate through routes.
Analysis: Klubnik is a smart, tough receiver who is always on the same page as the quarterback. He lacks speed and quickness, but his consistency and pass-catching skills give him an outside shot to make it at the next level.
Xavier Lewis, CB, Southeastern Louisiana
Career Snapshot: Transfer from LSU who started both his seasons at Southeastern Louisiana. Earned Second Team-All Southland honors and made 65 tackles (8.5 for loss) with three sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and three pass breakups as a senior in 2019. Named Honorable Mention All-Southland and made 66 tackles (7.5 for loss) with two sacks, three forced fumbles and three pass breakups as a junior.
Positives: Nice-sized cornerback who plays with an aggressive style. Effective facing the action, tracks the pass in the air and possesses a closing burst of speed. Keeps the action in front of him, remains disciplined with assignments and works to get involved in the action. Engages receivers at the line of scrimmage and remains physical throughout the route. Strong open-field tackler who fires up the field against the run.
Negatives: Must improve his balance. Struggles to stay on the receiver’s hip out of breaks.
Analysis: Lewis possesses the size, speed, and ball skills to play at the next level. Rarely challenged by opponents, he plays smart, tough football and could make a roster as a dime back in zone coverage or backed off the line of scrimmage.
Javen Morrison, CB, Alcorn State
Career Snapshot: Three-year starter who earned First Team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference honors and made 29 tackles (3.5 for loss) with four interceptions and seven pass breakups as a junior in 2018. Made 35 tackles (two for loss) with two INTs and three PBUs as a senior. Made 40 tackles (three for loss) with three interceptions and 13 pass breakups as a sophomore.
Positives: Explosive cornerback who is also a game-changing return specialist. Quick and fluid in his backpedal, can flip his hips and correctly reads and diagnoses the action. Displays timing on pass defenses and has an explosive burst to the ball out of his plant. Plays to his 40 time, beats defenders into the open field and runs to daylight on kick returns.
Negatives: Undersized and loses out in battles. Strong at the point. More of a drag-down tackler.
Analysis: Morrison is an under-the-radar prospect who was not graded by scouts coming into the season, but he has the skill set to make an NFL roster as a dime back and return specialist.
Jalen Morton, QB, Prairie View
Career Snapshot: Converted quarterback who played running back his final two seasons at Prairie View A&M. Rushed 74 times for 525 yards and six touchdowns as a senior in 2019. Carried 130 times for 1,073 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior.
Positives: Nice-sized pocket passer with a next-level arm. Patient, stands in against the rush and throws with an over-the-top delivery. Easily gets the ball downfield with a flick of his wrist, puts air under deep passes and puts tremendous speed on all his throws. Fires the ball to targets and easily gets passes through tight windows. Effectively sells ball fakes and plays from the pocket.
Negatives: Puts the ball up for grabs and throws into double and sometimes triple coverage. Indecisive.
Analysis: Morton is an arm talent with the ability to make all the throws, but he needs work from the ground up. He must really improve his pass placement and decision-making, but Morton should get practice-squad consideration this fall.
Daniel Parr, QB, Duquesne
Career Snapshot: Transfer from Florida Atlantic who started both his seasons at Duquesne. Completed 56.8 percent of his passes for 1,232 yards and 11 touchdowns with seven interceptions as a senior in 2019 before a collarbone injury cut his season short after eight games. Completed 60.5 percent of his passes for 2,447 yards and 20 touchdowns with 11 interceptions as a junior.
Positives: Nice-sized quarterback with solid arm strength and accuracy. Throws with a fluid over-the-top delivery, knows where receivers are on the field and shows the ability to place passes where only his target can make the reception.
Sells ball fakes, remains poised as the pocket collapses around him and shows enough mobility to get outside the pocket and make plays when things break down. Possesses a quick release, displays speed on short and intermediate throws and gets the ball immediately to the intended target. Not afraid to challenge the vertical game.
Negatives: Occasionally stares down the primary target and is slow to move his head. Seems to predetermine where to throw the ball regardless of whether the target is covered.
Analysis: Parr is rarely mentioned in scouting circles, but he has enough ability to make a practice squad this fall as a developmental quarterback.
Alex Pechin, PK, Bucknell
Positives: Nice-sized kicker who’s a terrific directional punter. Very consistent, fluidly gets the ball off his foot and has punts explode into the air. Effective as a directional punter and shows the ability to consistently put the ball inside the 20-yard line and out to the sidelines when necessary. Effective field-goal kicker in college.
Negatives: Must get the ball off his foot quicker. Does not get great hang time on punts.
Analysis: Pechin entered the season highly graded by scouts and lived up to expectations. While he lacks a massive leg, he’s a technically sound punter with the ability to place the ball where he wants.
Nasir Player, DE, East Tennessee State
Career Snapshot: Four-year starter who earned First Team All-Southern Conference honors in each of his final two seasons at East Tennessee State. Made 45 tackles (10 for loss) with 4.5 sacks as a senior in 2019. Made 43 tackles (11 for loss) with six sacks, three forced fumbles and two pass breakups as a junior. Posted 67 tackles (13.5 for loss) and seven sacks as a sophomore.
Positives: Explosive defensive end who shows pass-rushing ability. Plays with excellent pad level, fights with his hands and shows a variety of moves to get off blocks. Strong for his size and defeats blocks on his way to the action. Forceful up the field and off the edge, moves well about the field and displays a solid inside move. Relatively athletic.
Negatives: Struggles to get off blocks once engaged and gets stood up by larger linemen. Possesses average size and speed numbers.
Analysis: Player is a defender who consistently came up to help his team. He possesses good upside and at the very least should be kept on a practice squad this summer for future development.
Bobby Price, S, Norfolk State
Career Snapshot: Three-year starter who earned Second Team All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference honors and made 73 tackles (2.5 for loss) with one interception and eight pass breakups as a senior in 2019. Earned Third Team All-MEAC honors and made 59 tackles (2.5 for loss) with two INTs and eight PBUs as a junior
Positives: Athletic safety with next-level size. Fluidly moves in every direction, gets depth on pass drops and shows a burst to the action out of his plant. Fast, covers a good amount of area on the field and wraps up tackling. Plays with great explosion and suddenness.
Negatives: Possesses questionable instincts. Bites on ball fakes. Inefficient and takes poor angles. Lacks ball skills in man coverage.
Analysis: Price is a size-and-speed prospect with upside, but he needs to polish off his instincts to have any chance to make it out of camp this summer.
Bronson Rechsteiner, FB, Kennesaw State
Career Snapshot: First-year starter who earned Second Team All-Big South honors and rushed 112 times for 909 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior in 2019.
Positives: Explosive, athletic fullback prospect who presents himself as a triple-threat player. Breaks down well, plays with excellent knee bend and has a burst. Strong, plays big football and plays to his 40 time. Runs through tackles and picks up a lot of yardage off initial contact. Has the ability to beat defenders into the open field and run to daylight. Quickly gets out in front as a blocker and always looks for someone to hit. Devastating at the point of attack. Solid hands catcher who follows the quarterback everywhere on the field to make himself an available target and shows good route discipline.
Negatives: Not a creative ball carrier or a true perimeter runner. Stiff. More of a straight-line athlete.
Analysis: Rechsteiner is an explosive player with outstanding athletic bloodlines. He has limitations as far as his agility and the ability to cover any lateral space, but in the right system, Rechsteiner can be a backup fullback who is also used as a short-yardage ball carrier and pass catcher at the next level.
Reid Sinnett, QB, San Diego
Positives: Developmental quarterback prospect is making a late rise up draft boards. Possesses outstanding size as well as pocket stature, easily withstands the rush and does a good job with his defensive reads. Patient, remains poised and takes what the defense gives him. Goes through progressions and passes the ball to the safe underneath outlet if nothing else is available. Puts touch on throws, throws a catchable ball and for the most part makes good decisions in the pocket.
Negatives: Despite his great physical skills, was just a one-year starter on the small school level. Really doesn’t drive passes down the field. At times late pulling the trigger. Not an elusive quarterback who can escape the rush or pick up yardage with his legs.
Analysis: Sinnett is a traditional pocket passing quarterback with the underlying tools to play in the NFL. He’s a developmental prospect who should get consideration late in the draft and Sinnett should find his way onto a practice squad this fall.
Nathan Stewart, WR, Sam Houston State
Career Snapshot: Four-year starter who earned Third Team FCS All-America honors and made 72 catches for 1,648 yards and 14 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2017. Earned First Team All-Southland honors and made 52 receptions for 1,004 yards and 12 TDs as a true freshman. Named Second Team All-SLC and caught 58 passes for 1,063 yards and five touchdowns as a junior. Caught 45 passes for 779 yards as a senior.
Positives: Speedy vertical receiver who plays faster than his 40 time. Quickly releases off the line into pass routes, has a burst of speed and gets downfield behind opponents.
Sells routes and uses his hands to separate from defenders. Quickly gets into breaks and stays low on exit. Gets vertical and competes to come away with the difficult reception. Displays strong hands and the ability to pluck the ball from the air. Gives effort even if he’s not directly involved in the action.
Negatives: Loses focus and concentration, which leads to drops. Unnecessarily lets the past get inside him at times. Struggles in battles. Must pick up the intensity as a blocker.
Analysis: Stewart possesses the size and ability to line up as a slot receiver and return specialist, but he must improve the consistency of his pass-catching fundamentals.
Khristian Tate, DT, Georgetown
Career Snapshot: Three-year starter who earned First Team All-Patriot League honors as a junior in 2018 and as a sophomore in 2017. Earned Second Team All-Patriot League honors at defensive end as a senior in 2019 and as a special teamer in 2016. Made 54 tackles (16.5 for loss) with 10 sacks and two pass breakups as a junior. Made 69 tackles (13 for loss) with five sacks, one interception and two forced fumbles as a sophomore.
Positives: Explosive small-school defensive tackle who plays bigger and stronger than his computer numbers. Strong, bends his knees and gets leverage on opponents. Effectively occupies blocks and clogs the middle of the field. Pushes blockers up the field and nicely redirects to the action. Plays tough, smart football. Relentless and gives tremendous effort.
Negatives: Has size limitations. Does not display great quickness or explosion. Struggles to disengage from blockers and must get the first step on opponents.
Analysis: Tate is highly considered in the scouting community, but he lacks the measurables to play at the next level. He’s a three-technique prospect who must make his mark on special teams.
Alex Taylor, OT, South Carolina State
Career Snapshot: Transfer from Appalachian State who started both his seasons for South Carolina State at right tackle. Earned First Team All-MEAC honors as a senior in 2019 and Third Team All-MEAC honors as a junior. Transferred to South Carolina State to play basketball in 2017 and returned to football the following season.
Positives: Massive right-tackle prospect who is best in a small area. Sets with a wide base and bends his knees well for a larger lineman. Big enough to engulf and smother defenders and gets movement as run blocker. Keeps his feet moving and controls opponents at the point of attack. Stays square, keeps the defender in front of him and easily outpositions opponents from the action.
Negatives: Lacks quick and fluid footwork off the edge. Average quickness off the snap into blocks. Struggles to adjust and lacks agility.
Analysis: Taylor is a size prospect with good upside, but he has agility and space limitations and needs a lot of work on his game.
Nick Tiano, QB, Tennessee Chattanooga
Career Snapshot: Transfer from Mississippi State who started his final two seasons at Chattanooga. Completed 53.9 percent of his passes for 2,242 yards and 14 touchdowns with 10 interceptions as a senior in 2019. Completed 61.6 percent of his passes for 2,710 yards and 15 touchdowns with six interceptions as a junior. Missed six games in 2017 due to injury.
Positives: Nice-sized pocket passer with an NFL arm. Patient, remains poised under the rush and goes to his safety valve when nothing else is available. Challenges the vertical game, possesses a bigtime arm and a quick release and easily gets the ball downfield with a flick of his wrist.
Negatives: Mechanical to a fault. All over the place with throws. Releases the ball off his back foot, which results in poor accuracy.
Analysis: Tiano was not graded by scouts coming into the season even though he possesses the physical skills to play at the next level. He needs a lot of work on his game and must prove he can play at a better level of competition, but Tiano has underlying skills to work with for the next level.
Tommy Townsend, P, Bucknell
Positives: Fluid punter with a next-level leg. Has a smooth stroke, gets excellent hang time on punts and places them well. Allows coverage teams to get down the field and make plays on the returner. Can flip the field when necessary. Effectively handles poor snaps.
Negatives: Has had punts blocked in the past. Must get the ball off his foot quicker. Possesses a thin frame and may struggle to make tackles at the next level.
Analysis: Townsend was a very consistent punter the past two seasons at Florida and comes with a next-level leg. He does the little things well at the position and needs only to fill out his frame to become an NFL punter.
Adam Trautman, TE, Dayton
Career Snapshot: Four-year starter who was named Pioneer Football League Offensive Player of the Year and caught 70 passes for 916 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior in 2019. Earned Second Team All-PFL honors as a junior and as a sophomore. Made 41 catches for 604 yards and nine TDs in 2018.
Positives: Fast-rising, small-school tight end with a complete game. Quickly releases off the line of scrimmage and runs solid pass routes. Fires into breaks and stays low on exit. Extends his hands to make the reception away from his frame, wins out for the contested catch and takes a big hit and holds onto the ball.
Comes back into the clearing and offers the quarterback a target. Displays natural pass-catching skills. Explosive at the point, fires off the snap into blocks and gives effort. Blocks with consistent leverage and pad level.
Negatives: Stiff. Tested poorly at the combine.
Analysis: Trautman came into the season graded as a late-round pick, performed well as a senior and had a terrific week of practice at the Senior Bowl. His stock took a step back with his combine workout, but Trautman has the potential to develop into a No. 1 tight end at the next level and is worth a second-day pick.
Jack Traynor, ILB, Dartmouth
Career Snapshot: Four-year starter who earned First Team All-Ivy League honors in each of his final three seasons at Dartmouth. Made 75 tackles (4.5 for loss) with two interceptions as a senior in 2019. Made 98 tackles (five for loss) with one sack, one interception and four pass breakups as a sophomore in 2017.
Positives: Tough, fearless run-defending linebacker who plays intelligent football. Remains disciplined with assignments, quickly locates the ball and stays with the action. Intense, breaks down well and effectively uses his hands. Possesses great instincts, plays faster than his 40 time and quickly gets to the action.
Negatives: Lacks great pursuit and closing speed. Easily washed from the action by a single blocker.
Analysis: Traynor is a hard-working linebacker who did incredibly well at the Ivy League level, but he lacks NFL size and speed. He plays intense, intelligent football, which gives him an outside chance to make it.
DeShawn Waller, RB, Alcorn State
Career Snapshot: Junior-college transfer who earned First Team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference honors and rushed 186 times for 1,234 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior in 2018. Carried 128 times for 577 yards and four TDs as a senior.
Positives: Hard-charging, downhill ball carrier who is best when he runs north and south. Effectively follows blocks, keeps his feet moving and builds a good amount of momentum up the field. Displays terrific short-area quickness, runs with good lean and shows the ability to bounce around defenders. Solid pass catcher out of the backfield.
Negatives: One-speed back who lacks a burst. Not a true perimeter runner and gets in trouble when he tries to run east and west.
Analysis: Waller was a hard-working, small-school running back, but he lacks the physical skills for the next level. His pass-catching ability out of the backfield will be the determining factor as to whether he makes it at the next level.
Nick Wheeler, DE, Colgate
Career Snapshot: Three-year starter who earned Third Team FCS All-America honors and made 34 tackles (18 for loss) with 9.5 sacks as a senior in 2019. Earned Second Team FCS All-America honors and made 51 tackles (17 for loss) with nine sacks as a junior. Named First Team All-Patriot League and made 38 tackles (15.5 for loss) with 11.5 sacks as a sophomore.
Positives: Explosive small-school pass rusher who has been a consistently disruptive force. Fires off the snap, plays with terrific pad level and keeps his feet moving. Explosive, easily bends off the edge and plays with balance and body control.
Resilient, consistently gets leverage on opponents and stays with the action. Uses his hands exceptionally well to protect himself or get off blocks. Occasionally stands over tackle and shows solid pass-rushing skill. Gives effort against the run. Plays disciplined football and stays with assignments.
Negatives: Lacks great speed off the edge. Possesses inside linebacker size and will struggle against the run on Sundays.
Analysis: Wheeler was a game-impacting pass rusher who gets the most from his ability, but he lacks the size and speed for the next level. He’s a potential situational pass rusher, but he must stand out on special teams.
Bryce Wilds, OT, Sam Houston State
Career Snapshot: Transfer from SMU who started his lone season at Sam Houston State. Made nine starts for the Mustangs in 2017.
Positives: Nice-sized college tackle who is best in a small area. Sets with a wide base, quickly sets up off the snap and immediately gets his hands into defenders. Patient, keeps his feet moving and shows the strength to turn defenders from the action. Gets after assignments and effectively seals open running lanes.
Negatives: Not a natural knee bender or leverage blocker. Stiff. Lacks range.
Analysis: Wilds caught my eye when he played for SMU, and he turned in a solid senior campaign last season at Sam Houston State. He lacks great upside, but he has a next-level build and could back up at guard or right tackle for an NFL team.
Chris Williams, DT, Wagner
Career Snapshot: Two-year starter who made 62 tackles (11.5 for loss) with four sacks and three forced fumbles as a senior in 2019. Made 25 tackles (6.5 for loss) with one sack as a junior.
Positives: Explosive defensive tackle who can be tough to stop when on his game. Bends his knees, plays with proper pad level and consistently gets leverage on opponents. Works his hands throughout the action, shows the ability to manhandle blockers and can be an overwhelming force. Tough to knock off the point and fights hard through the action. Agile with the ability to flow down the line of scrimmage in pursuit. Physical lineman who gives effort to make plays.
Negatives: Gets tied up in blocks and stymied at the point when he should not. Lacks great first-step quickness.
Analysis: Williams is a hidden gem and has big upside. He should get late-round consideration, and if Williams doesn’t make an active roster this fall, expect to find him on a practice squad somewhere in the league.
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Page 2: Colonial Athletic Association
Page 3: Ohio Valley Conference
Page 4: Missouri Valley Conference
Page 5: Remaining D1-FCS Teams