2026 NFL Draft: Top 5 FCS Prospects Highlighted

Bryce Lance and Charles Demmings lead an elite class of small-school standouts

Apr. 15, 2026 at 12:04pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting fragmented, geometric shapes and planes representing various football players and actions, conveying the competitive energy and diverse talent of the 2026 FCS draft class.The 2026 NFL Draft class features a diverse array of small-school standouts poised to make an impact at the next level.Fargo Today

The 2026 NFL Draft class features a particularly intriguing group of FCS prospects, headlined by North Dakota State wide receiver Bryce Lance and Stephen F. Austin cornerback Charles Demmings. Lance, the younger brother of former No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance, is a physical freak with a 9.98 Relative Athletic Score. Demmings is a ball-hawk corner who put on an impressive combine performance. Southeastern Louisiana defensive tackle Kaleb Proctor, North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton, and Youngstown State wide receiver Max Tomczak round out the top FCS prospects in this year's draft.

Why it matters

Every draft cycle, the FCS produces a handful of prospects capable of making NFL rosters, but the level of competition is always a question mark. This year's class features several players who have the athletic traits and production to potentially overcome that stigma and carve out roles at the next level.

The details

Bryce Lance is the clear crown jewel of the FCS prospects, coming from the same North Dakota State program that produced Christian Watson. At 6'3" with a 4.34 40-yard dash, Lance has elite size and speed, and his 17 touchdowns in 2024 set a single-season conference record. Charles Demmings of Stephen F. Austin is another standout, earning a Senior Bowl invite and putting on a combine performance that ranked him among the most athletic cornerbacks in the class. Kaleb Proctor of Southeastern Louisiana is a disruptive interior pass rusher, while Cole Payton of North Dakota State and Max Tomczak of Youngstown State offer intriguing developmental potential at quarterback and wide receiver, respectively.

  • In 2024, Bryce Lance recorded 17 touchdowns, setting the single-season FCS conference record.
  • In 2025, Charles Demmings led all draft-eligible cornerbacks by holding quarterbacks to a 39.8 passer rating when targeting him.

The players

Bryce Lance

A wide receiver from North Dakota State with elite size, speed, and athleticism. His 9.98 Relative Athletic Score ranks him among the most athletic receivers in draft history.

Charles Demmings

A cornerback from Stephen F. Austin who earned a Senior Bowl invite and put on an impressive combine performance, including a 42-inch vertical jump.

Kaleb Proctor

A defensive tackle from Southeastern Louisiana who is a disruptive interior pass rusher, recording 39 pressures, 9 sacks, and a 90.2 PFF pass-rushing grade in 2025.

Cole Payton

A left-handed dual-threat quarterback from North Dakota State who had a historic 95.9 overall PFF grade in 2025, the highest of any draft-eligible QB.

Max Tomczak

A wide receiver from Youngstown State who has posted over 100 receptions without a single drop over the last two seasons, showcasing reliable hands and route running.

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The takeaway

This year's FCS draft class features several prospects with the athletic ability and production to potentially overcome the stigma of playing at a lower level of competition and carve out NFL roles. While the level of play will always be a question mark, players like Bryce Lance, Charles Demmings, and Kaleb Proctor have the tools to make an impact at the next level.