Next in our series of all-college conference rosters is the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Now that we have finished with the FBS, we’ll take a look at the FCS as a whole. Last season, we combined all non-FBS schools into one roster, but this season, we are taking on just the FCS as its own roster. Take a look at what the 2017 non-FBS roster looked like here, Non-FBS NFL Roster 2017. After looking at the pool of players, we decided to go with a spread, zone offense and a 4-2-5 base defense.
The Criteria
The criteria is very similar to last year with 3 main differences. The addition of a player on their 5th year extension, the spreading of rookie deals throughout different rounds of each draft, and making sure each college in the conference is represented.
- The roster must be under the current salary cap of $177.2M
- We use an even spread of rookie deals roughly based on league averages: 8 from 2017, 6 from 2016, 5 from 2015, and 1 player from the first round of the 2014 draft that is on their 5th year extension (where applicable)
- These rookie deals will also be spread throughout different rounds of that years draft, to better simulate an actual roster
- We will include one rookie from each round of the draft (were applicable)
- Each college in the conference will be represented
- We will have a well rounded roster that includes role players and special team
The Offense
Quarterbacks
| QBs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Carson Wentz | Joe Flacco | Kyle Lauletta |
| PHI | BAL | NYG |
| $7.275M | $24.75M | $657K |
| North Dakota State | Delaware | Richmond |
Taking the reigns as QB for this All FCS roster is former #2 overall pick out of NDSU, Carson Wentz. Wentz is not only the most talented QB of the group, but his rookie contract helps out against the cap. That being said, we needed to add some money to bring this total roster above the salary floor (89% of the salary cap), so backing up Wentz is current Ravens’ QB Joe Flacco. We round out the QB room with our first rookie of the roster, 4th round pick out of UofR, Kyle Lauletta.
3 roster spots filled, 50 left
$32.682M Spent | $144.518M Left
Running Backs
| RBs | ||
|---|---|---|
| David Johnson | Tarik Cohen | Isaiah Crowell |
| ARI | CHI | NYJ |
| $5.042M | $713K | $2M |
| Northern Iowa | North Carolina A&T | Alabama State |
| Chase Edmonds | ||
| ARI | ||
| $593K | ||
| Fordham |
There is really only one option for starting running back for this FCS roster, the Cardinals’ David Johnson. Coming in as the change of pace/3rd down back is former Aggie, Tarik Cohen. Cohen will also share return duties with corner Jamal Agnew. Our primary backup for Johnson is veteran Isaiah Crowell. We round out the RBs with our next rookie, 4th round pick out of Fordham, Chase Edmonds. He will add depth and contribute on special teams.
4 roster spots filled, 46 left
$8.348M Spent | $136.17M Left
Wide Receivers
| WRs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cooper Kupp | Chris Hogan | Taylor Gabriel |
| LAR | NE | CHI |
| $879K | $3.281M | $5.5M |
| Eastern Washington | Monmouth | Abilene Christian |
| Cameron Meredith | Andre Roberts | Chad Williams |
| NO | NYJ | ARI |
| $2.7M | $720K | $758K |
| Illinois State | The Citadel | Grambling St |
A couple of obvious choices for the top wide receiver spots. We’ll start with current Ram from Eastern Washington, Cooper Kupp. Next we have former Monmouth Hawk, Chris Hogan. And we round out the starting WRs with our only Abilene Christian Wildcat, Taylor Gabriel. Like with Kupp’s Rams, all 3 of these WRs could play in any of the 3 positions, giving the offense versatility in formations. Adding primary depth is the Saints’ Cameron Meredith and veteran Andre Roberts. We finish up the WRs with 2017 3rd round pick out of Grambling State, Chad Williams. He will look to contribute on special teams.
6 roster spots filled, 40 left
$13.838M Spent | $122.332M Left
Tight Ends
| TEs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dallas Goedert | Cameron Brate | Nick Boyle |
| PHI | TB | BAL |
| $1.023M | $7M | $740K |
| South Dakota State | Harvard | Delaware |
| Daniel Brown | ||
| CHI | ||
| $913K | ||
| James Madison |
A lot of solid options at tight end for this All FCS roster. We decided to give the starting spot to our 2nd round pick of the roster out of South Dakota State, Dallas Goedert. Coming in on 2 TE sets is our first Harvard alum, Cameron Brate. Coming in as a blocking TE, but also being capable of contributing in the passing game, is current Ravens starting TE, Nick Boyle. Lastly, contributing on special teams, and providing an additional red zone threat, is former JMU WR Daniel Brown.
4 roster spots filled, 36 left
$9.676M Spent | $112.656M Left
Offensive Line
| OL | ||
|---|---|---|
| T Terron Armstead | T Josh Wells | G Mike Iupati |
| NO | JAX | ARI |
| $13.5M | $768K | $6.7M |
| Arkansas-Pine Bluff | James Madison | Idaho |
| G Mike Person | C JC Tretter | T Brandon Parker |
| SF | CLE | OAK |
| $630K | $6.75M | $745K |
| Montana State | Cornell | North Carolina A&T |
| G Nick Easton | C Corey Levin | |
| MIN | TEN | |
| $2.914M | $583K | |
| Harvard | Chattanooga |
Offensive line was probably the hardest position group to fill out for this roster. There was one obvious choice for starting left tackle for this line though, current blindside protector for Drew Brees, Terron Armstead. He is PFF’s top graded tackle as of Week 8. Fun fact, Armstead still holds the record for fastest 40 time by a lineman at the combine (4.71). Starting opposite him is our only other JMU Duke of the roster, Josh Wells. Backing them up is out 3rd round pick of the roster from North Carolina A&T, Brandon Parker. Moving to the inside, we have veteran Mike Iupati. Though Iupati was playing for the Vandals when they were apart of the WAC (FBS division that has since dropped football), this roster is looking at schools that are currently in the FCS. Starting opposite him at guard is former Montana State Bobcat, Mike Person. Snapping the ball between them is Ivy Leaguer, from Cornell, JC Tretter. Backing up the interior is another Ivy Leaguer, from Harvard, Nick Easton, and 6th round pick of 2017 out of Tennessee-Chattanooga, Corey Levin.
8 roster spots filled, 28 left
$32.59M Spent | $80.066M Left
Offensive Spending Breakdown
The offense accounted for 59.6% of the total team salary. Obviously, quarterback is a big part of that, with the 3 QBs taking up more cap space then all the WR, RB, and TEs combined.
The Defense
Defensive Line
| DL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Javon Hargrave | Michael Pierce | Kerry Wynn |
| PIT | BAL | NYG |
| $864K | $633K | $1.25M |
| South Carolina State | Samford | Richmond |
| Tanoh Kpassagnon | Derek Rivers | Xavier Williams |
| KC | NE | KC |
| $982K | $784K | $1.625M |
| Villanova | Youngstown State | Northern Iowa |
| Rodney Gunter | Zach Kerr | Bilal Nichols |
| ARI | DEN | CHI |
| $832K | $1.672M | $555K |
| Delaware State | Delaware | Delaware |
Though most of the defensive lineman represented here currently play in 3 man fronts, after looking at all of them as a whole, we thought they would collectively fit better in a 4 man front. So you may see some players represented at a slightly different position than they play now, it’s just how we see them fitting in this roster. That being said, we’ll start with the interior of the defensive line with a couple of guys that made their debuts in 2016, 3rd round pick out of South Carolina State, Javon Hargrave, and UDFA out of Samford, Michael Pierce. Hargrave will take the role of 3tech, with Pierce playing the 1tech/nose tackle position. Starting at strong side end is former Richmond Spider Kerry Wynn. Starting opposite Wynn as the weak side end is fellow CAA alum, from Villanova, Tanoh Kpassagnon. Backing him up is fellow 2017 draft pick, 3rd round selection out of Youngstown State by the Patriots, Derek Rivers. Behind Pierce, as well as subbing in on jumbo sets, is the Chiefs’ Xavier Williams and the Broncos’ Zach Kerr. Backing up Hargrave at the 3tech is the Cardinals’ Rodney Hunter. We finish out the dline group with our 5th round pick out of Delaware, Bilal Nichols.
9 roster spots filled, 19 left
$9.197M Spent | $70.869M Left
Linebackers
| LBs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Darius Leonard | Todd Davis | Kyle Emanuel |
| IND | DEN | LAC |
| $1.318M | $4M | $1.962M |
| South Carolina State | Sacramento State | North Dakota State |
| Foyesade Oluokun | Dylan Cole | LJ Fort |
| ATL | HOU | PIT |
| $517K | $559K | $705K |
| Yale | Missouri State | Northern Iowa |
A lot of athleticism in this line-backing crew, which fits in well with this 4-2-5, nickel defense. We start with our Mike backer, current Broncos ILB from Sacramento State, Todd David. Starting next to him at Will backer is our other 2nd round pick out of South Carolina State, Darius Leonard. Coming in at Sam when the defense shifts into a 4-3 is former Bison, Kyle Emanuel. Backing up the Sam and Mike positions are 2017 UDFA out of Missouri State, Dylan Cole, and veteran LJ Fort. Backing up Leonard at the Will is another rookie, 6th round pick out of Yale, Foyesade Oluokun.
8 roster spots filled, 11 left
$9.061M Spent | $61.808M Left
Cornerbacks
| CBs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Janoris Jenkins | Trumaine Johnson | Robert Alford |
| NYG | NYJ | ATL |
| $10M | $10M | $9.6M |
| North Alabama | Montana | Southeastern Louisiana |
| James Bradberry | Jamal Agnew | Keion Crossen |
| CAR | DET | NE |
| $1.08M | $620K | $499K |
| Samford | San Diego | Western Carolina |
Here is the strength of this All FCS defense, and why we decided to go with a base nickel. We’ll start on the outside with former North Alabama Lion, Janoris Jenkins, and our only Montana alum, Trumaine Johnson. Starting in the slot, from Southeastern Louisiana, Robert Alford. Providing primary backup to these 3, and coming in on dime packages, is former 2nd round pick in 2016 out of Samford, James Bradberry. Providing depth, but mainly contributing on special teams, is the Lions’ Jamal Agnew, and our 7th round pick out of Western Carolina, Keion Crossen.
6 roster spots filled, 7 left
$31.799M Spent | $30.009M Left
Safeties
| Ss | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jaquiski Tartt | Mike Adams | Miles Killebrew |
| SF | CAR | DET |
| $3.103M | $2.425M | $775K |
| Samford | Delaware | Southern Utah |
| Antoine Bethea | ||
| ARI | ||
| $4.651M | ||
| Howard |
Starting at strong safety is our 3rd Samford Bulldog of the roster, Jaquiski Tartt. Starting at free safety, and providing veteran leadership for this defense, is 15 year vet and former Delaware Blue Hen, Mike Adams. Backing him up is another long time vet, Howard alum, Antoine Bethea. We wrap up the safeties with 4th round pick from 2016 out of Southern Utah, Miles Killebrew.
4 roster spots filled, 3 left
$10.954M Spent | $19.055M Left
Defensive Spending Breakdown
The defense accounted for only 37.4% of the total team salary. With a majority of the rookie contracts on this side of the ball it’s no surprise that the spending was low. The corners obviously accounted for the majority of the spending, using 52.1% of the total defensive spending.
Specialists and Head Coach
| ST and HC | ||
|---|---|---|
| K Adam Vinatieri | P Lac Edwards | LS Luke Rhodes |
| IND | NYJ | IND |
| $3.625M | $649K | $630K |
| South Dakota State | Sam Houston State | William & Mary |
| Head Coach | Mike Tomlin | William & Mary |
Not many selections for kicker on this All FCS roster, but it didn’t matter, there is one obvious choice; future Hall of Famer, Adam Vinatieri. At punter, we chose the Jets 7th round pick from 2016 out of Sam Houston State, Lac Edwards. Finally, snapping back to Edwards is former Tribe linebacker, Luke Rhodes.
Former 2nd-team All-Yankee Conference wide receiver, from William & Mary, Mike Tomlin will take the headset as head coach of this All FCS team.
3 roster spots filled, 0 left
$4.904M Spent | $14.151M Left
The Starting 22
| Offense | |
|---|---|
| QB | Carson Wentz |
| RB | David Johnson |
| Z | Cooper Kupp |
| X | Chris Hogan |
| Slot | Taylor Gabriel |
| TE | Dallas Goedert |
| LT | Terron Armstead |
| LG | Mike Iupati |
| C | JC Tretter |
| RG | Mike Person |
| RT | Josh Wells |
| Defense | |
|---|---|
| DE | Tanoh Kpassagnon |
| NT | Michael Pierce |
| DT | Javon Hargrave |
| DE | Kerry Wynn |
| Mike | Todd Davis |
| Will | Darius Leonard |
| CB | Janoris Jenkins |
| CB | Trumaine Johnson |
| CB | Robert Alford |
| SS | Jaquiski Tartt |
| FS | Mike Adams |
2019 Draft
New for this year, we are including a mock draft for each team for the 2019 NFL Draft. Each player is within a round of where we have them projected as of the time of this post.
| Round | Player | Pos. | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emmanuel Butler | WR | Northern Arizona |
| 2 | Nasir Adderly | S | Delaware |
| 3 | Jordan Brown | CB | SDSU |
| 4 | Iosua Opeta | OG | Weber State |
| 5 | Logan Parker | TE | Southern Utah |
| 6 | Chris Johnson | S | North Alabama |
| 7 | Easton Stick | QB | NDSU |