(STATS) – Everybody’s posturing during the buildup to the NFL Draft.
Between the all-star games, the NFL Combine, pro days and individual player workouts, there are a number of opportunities for players to impress teams, but there’s usually only 250-260 spots in each draft. So a number of talented FCS players go undrafted when on average 18 are selected at the three-day, seven-round event, which this year will be held April 26-28 in Arlington, Texas.
All prospects are disappointed when they go undrafted, but that scenario can give a player with multiple free agent offers the chance to pick a favorable situation.
Following are six FCS prospects generally considered outside a draftable grade who will be targeted by teams if they go undrafted. Better yet, they still hope to rise on draft boards.
Martez Carter, RB, Grambling State – His nickname, “Mr. Excitement,” says a lot about the speedy Carter, who at 5-foot-9 runs with a low center of gravity. He boosted his stock at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl with game highs of 45 rushing yards and 69 all-purpose yards. The change-of-pace prospect’s conditioning was better as a junior than a senior, so his focus must stay consistent.
Ed Shockley, OLB, Villanova – The instinctive Shockley was consistently around the ball no matter where it was at the NFLPA Bowl, including two tackles for loss and three pass breakups. A bit undersized at linebacker (5-11, 235) by NFL standards, his additional ability to be a hybrid safety boosts his stock.
Greg Senat, OL, Wagner – Senat’s athleticism stood out at the East-West Shrine Game, which wasn’t surprising for the four-year Wagner basketball player, who added football the last two seasons and didn’t miss a start. Long and lean at 6-6, 294 pounds, he’s still raw skill-wise, but that’s something a team could shape on a practice squad.
Brett Taylor, ILB, Western Illinois – To say people in the Leathernecks’ program are miffed by Taylor’s all-star game snubs is an understatement. That alone is motivating the STATS FCS Buck Buchanan Award runner-up, who led the subdivision as a senior with 162 tackles. He blends a cerebral style with his physical play.
Justin Watson, WR, Penn – While there are plenty of wide receiver prospects, it’s impressive how an Ivy Leaguer did enough at the Shrine Game to add a Senior Bowl invite to his resume. He was productive in each of his four seasons and has good size (6-2 1/2, 213) and physicality to play the slot.
Joe Zema, P, Incarnate Word – Punter isn’t typically a draftable position, but Zema has proven he’s ready for the next level. Like Taylor and Watson, he was a 2017 STATS first-team All-American after averaging a national-high 46.7 yards on 77 punts. At the NFLPA Game, he averaged 50 yards on three punts.
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