These former FCS players should be on your NFL radar in 2024

Before the 2024 NFL season kicks off, let's take a look at some of the former FCS football players that could have an impactful season in the pros.

FCS NFL players to watch

WR Andrei Iosivas - Cincinnati Bengals/Princeton

Andrei Iosivas isn't the biggest name in the Cincinnati wide receiver corps, but he might be the best athlete. Yes, that's with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins there. Well actually, that's the thing. Given that duo's contract situation, Iosivas — a former track and field star in college — might be called upon more from Joe Burrow.

CB Brandon Codrington - Buffalo Bills/North Carolina Central

When a team trades for you ahead of roster cuts at the end of the preseason, it's a big deal. It's a bigger deal when its an in-division trade like how the Bills aquired Brandon Codrington from the Jets. Codrington is an electric kick and punt returner, dating back to his days at North Carolina Central. That's where he could have an impact from day one.

NCCU: Why NC Central should be the 2024 favorite in HBCU football

CB Christian Benford - Buffalo Bills/Villanova

Tre'Davious White is gone in Buffalo. The Bills moved on from the former All-Pro because of injuries and cap space, but also because they were comfortable with Christian Benford stepping in as his replacement. That speaks a lot to how the former Villanova Wildcat could have an impact this season.

RB Jaleel McLaughlin - Denver Broncos/Youngstown State

Jaleel McLaughlin isn't the starting running back in Denver. That would be Javonte Williams. However, no team is truly a one-back backfield any more and McLaughlin started three games last year. The NCAA's all-time leading rusher could have an increased role in year two.

OT Terron Armstead - Miami Dolphins/Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Terron Armstead is one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL and when he's healthy, he's part of the reason the Dolphins have one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL.

2024 HBCU football: Following the 2024 HBCU football season from start to finish

TE Dallas Goedert - Philadelphia Eagles/South Dakota State

Dallas Goedert has long been a top-10 tight end in the NFL and now he'll be one of the weapons in the Philadelphia offense tasked with rebounding from a dissapointing finish last fall. He should be a big redzone target yet again.

DT Javon Hargrave - San Francisco 49ers/South Carolina State

Javon Hargrave enters year two in San Francisco after helping the 49ers advance to the Super Bowl in his first year on the team. Hargrave plays a key role for the 49ers, getting interior pressure to counter Nick Bosa off the edge and occupying blocks to free up Fred Warner.

FB Kyle Juszczyk - San Francisco 49ers/Harvard

The best fullback in the NFL is from the FCS. Kyle Juszczyk can run, block and catch passes in Swiss Army knife fashion. He's pivotal in the multiple looks seen in the 49er offense.

UPSETS: See every FCS-over-FBS upset | Here's the FCS blueprint to beating a ranked FBS team

Edge James Houston - Detroit Lions/Jackson State

James Houston won't start for the Lions, nor is he the star edge rusher, but when he's on the field he makes plays. He'll look to get back to, near or surpass the eight sacks he had as a rookie in 2022 after not seeing action in most of the 2023 season.

HBCU TO NFL: Every HBCU player on the initial 53-man 2024 NFL rosters

LB Foyesade Oluokun - Jacksonville Jaguars /Yale

Foyesade Oluokun is one of the most underrated players in the NFL. Oluokun has made over 170 tackles in each of the last three seasons.

WR Xavier Gipson - New York Jets/Stephen F. Austin

Xavier Gipson burst on the scene with his game-winning punt return last year on opening Monday Night Football. This season he'll have a chance to compete for the Jets' WR3 spot as legendary quarterback Aaron Rodgers returns from injury.

WR Christian Watson - Green Bay Packers/North Dakota State

With all the hype around Jordan Love entering this year, former North Dakota State wideout Christian Watson will play a big role in his success. Last year, he caught 28 passes for 422 yards and five touchdowns in nine games.

RB Dylan Laube - Las Vegas Raiders/New Hampshire

Dylan Laube could sneakily be the most important FCS player this season. He sits behind Zamir White, Alexander Mattison and Ameer Abdullah. None of those are game-breakers, nor guaranteed to be a bell cow. With quarterback Gardner Minshew leading the offense, Laube could find a critical role in the Raider offense.

MORE: 11 FCS players, zero HBCU players taken in the 2024 NFL draft

WR Cooper Kupp - Los Angeles Rams/Eastern Washington

The most notable FCS player in the NFL is Cooper Kupp. While he hasn't matched his Offensive Player of the Year numbers from 2021, Kupp remains a top-tier wideout.

NT Michael Pierce - Baltimore Ravens/Samford

Michael Pierce is one of the most underrated nose tackles in the NFL. His stats may not show it since he's at an unheralded position, but Pierce often occupies blocks to free up other stars like Roquan Smith at linebacker and fellow defensive lineman Justin Madubuike.

WR Rashid Shaheed - New Orleans Saints/Weber State

Look at the Saints wide receiver corps. It's Chris Olave and... everybody else. Rashid Shaheed could get a WR2 target share and can be a sneaky weapon for New Orleans.

OG Mason McCormick - Pittsburgh Steelers/South Dakota State

Mason McCormick is not the starter at guard for the Steelers entering the year, but with Isaac Seumalo and Zach Frazier dealing with injuries, McCormick could be called on sooner rather than later.

FCS TO NFL: 2020's FCS NFL players | 2021's FCS NFL players | 2022's FCS NFL Players | 2023's FCS NFL Players

OT Tytus Howard - Houston Texans/Alabama State

The most recent HBCU player to be drafted in the first round of the NFL is Tytus Howard. The former Alabama State standout mans the right side for rising star C.J. Stroud and will be pivotal in the team's success this year.