Who says the NFL Draft is only about the big boys? For all the hype about the number of players that schools like Alabama and Ohio State send to the league, there are a number of superstars that come from unheralded programs. Talented quarterbacks like Carson Wentz and Jimmy Garoppolo went to North Dakota State and Eastern Illinois, Super Bowl XLIX hero Malcolm Butler played his college ball at Western Alabama, and Adam Vinatieri was virtually unknown coming out of South Dakota State. All of these players went to schools outside of the FBS, and for the first time ever there is betting involving some of these smaller programs.
All lines courtesy of BetDSI Sportsbook
Number of players from non-FBS teams selected in the 2018 NFL Draft
Over 22.5 -115
Under 22.5 -115
There aren’t many seven-round mock drafts out there, but two of the most recent full mocks have the number at 20. Additionally, each of the last four drafts have seen 22 or fewer players from outside of the FBS selected. We haven’t seen 23 or more non-FBS players drafted since 2013 and that makes the ‘Under’ worth a play here. The number of FBS teams continues to grow and that has shallowed the pool a bit.
Number of North Dakota State players selected in the 2018 NFL Draft
Over 1 +100
Under 1 -130
North Dakota State is the one non-FBS team that most people know at this point. The Bison are 6-0 against FBS programs, and they have won six of the last seven FCS championships.
As dominant as they have been though, they don’t have a player who will definitely be selected this year. The only player that is even showing up on team’s draft boards is linebacker Nick DeLuca. DeLuca was initially projected to be drafted, but a poor combine coupled with injury concerns might lead to him going undrafted. Once again, the ‘Under’ is a solid play.
Number of South Dakota State players selected in the 2018 NFL Draft
Over 1.5 -115
Under 1.5 -115
The Jackrabbits are definitely going to have one player selected. Dallas Goedert might be the first tight end off the board and is seen as a second-round pick. That makes one, but will there be another?
Wide receiver Jake Wieneke is the other draft prospect for the Jackrabbits. Wieneke finished his career as one of the most productive receivers in FCS history, finding the end zone 59 times. He is considered a possible sixth- or seventh-round selection, and ‘Over’ might be worth a shot here.
Number of Jacksonville State players selected in the 2018 NFL Draft
Over 1.5 -115
Under 1.5 -115
Jacksonville State isn’t as well-known as some of the other programs in the FCS, but they will probably have more players drafted than any other program. The Gamecocks have three players that are considered late-round prospects in Darius Jackson, Roc Thomas, and Siran Neal. All three are on Mel Kiper’s Big Board and most mock drafts have at least two of the three being selected. That makes the ‘Over’ a strong play.
