(STATS) – The potential value offered by the “small school” players in the FCS overflowed with former South Carolina State linebacker Darius Leonard last year.
The unsung second-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts went on to win 2018 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
He wasn’t the only standout. Below is a review of how the first season went for last year’s 19 FCS draft selections.
The 2019 draft will be held April 25-27 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Indianapolis Colts – Darius Leonard, LB, South Carolina State (2nd round, 36th overall selection)
Led the NFL with 163 tackles as a rookie, including nine games with double-digits, adding 27 more in two playoff games. Also collected seven sacks, forced four fumbles, recovered two fumbles and had two interceptions in 15 regular-season games (all starts).
Philadelphia Eagles – Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State (2, 49)
Targeted 44 times, Goedert had 33 receptions for 334 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games, including eight starts. Also caught a touchdown in a playoff win at Chicago.
Oakland Raiders – P.J. Hall, DT, Sam Houston State, DT (2, 57)
Was in on 22 tackles with two passes defended in 14 games, including six starts. Had five tackles in a start at Cincinnati.
Oakland Raiders – Brandon Parker, OT, North Carolina A&T (3, 65)
Was one of the Raiders’ two rookie starters at offensive tackle, making 12 across 15 games.
New York Giants – Kyle Lauletta, QB, Richmond (4, 108)
Mostly made news for his arrest following a traffic incident while driving to the Giants’ team facility. In two games, he was 0-for-5 passing with one an interception.
Buffalo Bills – Taron Johnson, CB, Weber State (4, 121)
A shoulder injury ended Johnson’s season after 11 games, including two starts. He made 33 tackles with one interception against Tennessee and three passes defended.
Arizona Cardinals – Chase Edmonds, RB, Fordham (4, 134)
A two-touchdown game against Green Bay (his only scores) highlighted a season in which Edmonds played in all 16 games with 60 carries for 208 yards and 20 receptions for 103 yards.
Los Angeles Rams – John Franklin-Myers, DE, Stephen F. Austin (4, 135)
The NFC champion Rams got 10 tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble out of Franklin-Myers in 16 regular-season games. He also had a sack and forced a fumble against New England in Super Bowl LIII.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Justin Watson, WR, Penn (4, 144)
In 12 games, Watson had one reception for 5 yards.
Chicago Bears – Bilal Nichols, DT, Delaware (5, 145)
Provided good production with 28 tackles, including five for loss and three sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 14 games, including six starts.
Cincinnati Bengals – Davontae Harris, CB, Illinois State (5, 151)
After returning from a knee injury, Harris made all three of his appearances in December and registered one tackle against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Buffalo Bills – Siran Neal, SS, Jacksonville State (5, 154)
Neal was a strong addition to the Bills’ special teams. He played in 16 games, finishing with 11 tackles with one sack and one forced fumble.
Indianapolis Colts – Daurice Fountain, WR, Northern Iowa (5, 159)
Spent most of the season on the practice squad. He only faced Kansas City in the regular season and dropped a catchable touchdown pass against the Chiefs in the playoffs.
Los Angeles Rams – Jamil Demby, OG, Maine (6, 192)
Demby was waived by the Rams in September and resigned in December. In between, he spent much of the season on Detroit’s practice squad.
Kansas City Chiefs – Tremon Smith, CB, Central Arkansas (6, 196)
The Professional Football Writers of America named Smith its top rookie kickoff returner after he averaged 26.8 yards on 33 returns, including a long of 97 yards. He also had four tackles and one pass defended in 14 games.
Atlanta Falcons – Foyesade Oluokun, OLB, Yale (6, 200)
Playing in all 16 games, including seven starts, Oluokun racked up 90 tackles, including 55 solos, while forcing one fumble with one pass defended.
Baltimore Ravens – Greg Senat, OT, Wagner (6, 212)
Senat dealt with a foot injury and didn’t appear in any games.
New England Patriots – Keion Crossen, CB, Western Carolina (7, 243)
Nine of Crossen’s 14 tackles came in the Patriots’ final two regular-season games (he played in 11 games). He appeared in all three postseason games for the Super Bowl champs.
Green Bay Packers – Kendall Donnerson, OLB, Southeast Missouri State (7, 248)
Donnerson never made it to the Packers’ active roster.
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