These former FCS college football players could lead you to a winning fantasy football season

Fantasy football draft season is here. Before you build your draft board, make sure you take a look at some of the FCS NFL players available because it could be the difference between you winning and losing.

Quarterback

• Cleveland Brown Joe Flacco, Delaware

Joe Flacco FCS highlights: Super Bowl MVP's final games with Delaware

Is Joe Flacco elite? It’s a question as old as time. Speaking of old, Flacco is just that. He was drafted out of Delaware 17 years ago in 2008. Nonetheless, Flacco is the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns for now.

If you draft Flacco as your fantasy starter, you might be cooked this year. However, he could be a serviceable backup if you draft a quarterback with an early-season bye as your starter.

FCS FIRST-ROUNDERS: These are the highest FCS first-round NFL draft picks ever

Running back

• Washington Commander Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Alabama State

Jacory Croskey-Merritt may have ended his career at the FBS level, but he got his start at Alabama State. Croskey-Merritt was a seventh-round pick this year but has quickly made his presence felt in the Commanders’ backfield. He only sits behind veteran Austin Ekeler on the depth chart, and Brian Robinson Jr.’s trade opens up potential for the former Alabama State Hornet to be the lead back by season’s end.

2025 NFL DRAFT: 8 FCS players players taken in the 2025 NFL draft

Wide receiver

• Seattle Seahawk Cooper Kupp, Eastern Washington
• New Orleans Saint Rashid Shaheed, Weber State
• Jacksonville Jaguar Travis Hunter, Jackson State
• Cincinnati Bengal Andrei Iosivas, Princeton
• Green Bay Packer Christian Watson, North Dakota State
• New England Patriot Efton Chism III, Eastern Washington

You can never go wrong with Cooper Kupp in fantasy, especially in PPR formats. Kupp is now with the Seattle Seahawks, back in the state where he played collegiately at Eastern Washington.

Cooper Kupp’s top FCS playoff highlights at Eastern Washington

CAREER RECAP: Revisit Cooper Kupp's college football career

Another starting wideout you might want to take a look at is Rashid Shaheed for the New Orleans Saints. Shaheed is a product of Weber State and is a starting wide receiver in the Big Easy. With Chris Olave often hurt and Brandin Cooks on the wrong side of 30, Shaheed should see a lot of targets from whoever takes over as New Orleans’ starting quarterback.

Travis Hunter made history when he committed to Jackson State as the top overall recruit in the country. While Hunter would later transfer to Colorado, he continued to show love to the JSU Tigers. Since he got his start in the FCS, he’s included here. 

Hunter is an interesting draft pick this year in fantasy since he plays both sides of the ball. If he’s on your team, he could win you a game with an interception or a touchdown — or maybe both!

CAREER RECAP: Revisit Travis Hunter's college football career

Now we’ll take a look at some WR3 and bench options. Cincinnati Bengal Andrei Iosivas is the WR3 for the Bengals, and in a pass-heavy offense, he could win you some games. The former Princeton Tiger is only an injury to Ja’Marr Chase or Tee Higgins from being the hottest waiver wire pickup. 

CAREER RECAP: Revisit Andrei Iosivas' college football career

Then there’s North Dakota State product Christian Watson. His fantasy stock has dropped this year with the Green Bay Packers drafting Matthew Golden in the first round, adding another body to a crowded young receiver room. However, Watson’s big-play capability remains and he could be a draft-and-stash guy.

Christian Watson: 2022 NFL Draft prospect's top FCS playoff highlights

CAREER RECAP: Revisit Christian Watson's college football career

Lastly, you have Eastern Washington standout Efton Chism III. Chism has dazzled in the New England Patriots training camp, likely earning himself a roster spot after being undrafted. The Patriots have Stefon Diggs as the top wide receiver, and Mack Hollins is likely second on the depth chart. However, the slot position could be all Chism by season’s end. He could be worth a late-round flier in your fantasy drafts, especially in keeper leagues.

Tight end

• Philadelphia Eagle Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State
• Green Bay Packer Tucker Kraft, South Dakota State

Two starting NFL tight ends, Dallas Goedert and Tucker Kraft, both went to South Dakota State. Kraft finished as the 10th-best scoring tight end in fantasy last season overall for the Green Bay Packers. Goedert finished as the 11th-best scoring tight end in fantasy last season on average for the Philadelphia Eagles. Both of the Jackrabbits can be your starting tight end this year.

Dallas Goedert college football highlights at South Dakota State

CAREER RECAP: Revist Dallas Goedert's college football career | Revist Tucker Kraft's college football career

Kickers

• Seattle Seahawk Jason Myers, Marist 
• Atlanta Falcon Younghoe Koo, Georgia Southern

Seattle Seahawk Jason Myers was the 11th-best kicker in fantasy overall last year. The former Marist Fox could get even more scoring opportunities in 2025 with big-time free agent pickup Sam Darnold in town, which could boost the overall offensive production.

Atlanta Falcon Younghoe Koo attended Georgia Southern, which was an FCS program during his freshman year in 2013. Koo won’t have to deal with the quarterback controversy the Falcons had between Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. in 2025, with the latter entrenched as the starter. The Falcons averaged 34 points per game in the final three games that Penix started as a rookie. More chances for Koo to score.

Defenses/Special Teams

• Buffalo Bills
• Los Angeles Rams

No, there's not a single FCS defensive player that will overly impact fantasy defensive scoring. But there are teams with a group of them together.

The Buffalo Bills feature a pair of FCS corners that are each very good. Villanova’s Christian Benford has emerged as one of the best young corners in the game, while Weber State’s Taron Johnson has long been one of the best slot corners the game has to offer. 

In the front-seven, Joe Andreessen is a part of the Bills’ linebacker corps. Andreessen was an FCS All-American at Bryant before spending his final year at Buffalo.

Finally, return specialist Brandon Codrington is a North Carolina Central alum. He could add a special teams touchdown that could win you a game with Buffalo’s defense.

The Los Angeles Rams defense has two FCS products that are good contributors in linebacker Troy Reeder of Delaware and cornerback Cobie Durant of South Carolina State. Wide receiver Xavier Smith was electric at Florida A&M, and he brings that talent to the LA return game. 

The Rams also have a pair of FCS-to-FBS transfers on the defensive front in Kobie Turner and Jared Verse. Turner started at Richmond before landing at Wake Forest and Verse started at UAlbany before landing at Florida State. Both Turner and Verse are some of the top young defensive linemen in the NFL.