BRONCOS

Seven players who were snubbed by the NFL Scouting Combine

Feb 10, 2020, 6:55 AM

The NFL announced the attendees for the 2020 Scouting Combine late last week. There are a total of 337 players headed to Indianapolis for an important part of the pre-draft process. Teams will be able to do medical checks, work out these players and interview players they’ll be considering in the 2020 NFL Draft at the end of April.

As always, the NFL cannot get every player deserving of being there on the list. Two of the biggest names on the Broncos, Chris Harris Jr. and Phillip Lindsay, did not get invited to the combine the years they came into the league (2011, 2018).

Not getting invited does not mean it’s the end. In fact, in 2019, there were 33 players who did not get invited that ended up getting drafted. On the flip side, there were 117 players who went to the combine that did not hear their name called during the draft.

So, who are some players I’m disappointed I won’t be seeing later this month in Indianapolis? Let’s take a look.

***

TYLER HUNT
Quarterback, Utah

Tyler Hunt is one player I felt certain I would see at the combine. He’s an incredibly athletic quarterback who is quite dangerous as a runner. Teams are looking for athletic quarterbacks to mold like Lamar Jackson. Hunt is nowhere near Jackson’s ability as a passer, but he could be a developmental player for some team with an athletic starter like the Ravens.

***

ADRIAN KILLINS JR.
Running Back, Central Florida

Each year, I make my way to the East-West Shrine Bowl and this year one of the standout players was UCF running back Adrian Killins Jr. He is a small running back, kind of like Bears change-of-pace back Tarik Cohen. Killins is not as athletic as Cohen, but he does have great foot frequency and can change direction on a dime. With teams looking for receiving backs who can make plays in the open field, I felt Killins should have been invited to the combine.

***

JOHNATHON JOHNSON
Wide Receiver, Missouri

Like Killins, Mizzou wide receiver Jonathon Johnson was a player who had a good week of practice at the Shrine Bowl earlier this year. Johnson was one of Drew Lock’s favorite targets in college and his numbers suffered when Lock went to the pros in 2019. The former Tigers playmaker has good run-after-the-catch ability and can make defenders miss in the open field. He didn’t get a combine invite, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see Johnson selected in the late rounds (Broncos?) of the 2020 NFL Draft.

***

JOEY MAGNIFICO
Tight End, Memphis

He has the greatest name for an NFL prospect, and Memphis Joey Magnifico is going to have to get more attention to his game at the Tigers pro day later this year. A former linebacker, Magnifico has some toughness to his game as a blocker. He’s not big enough and lacks lower-body strength, so putting him in an NFL weight program should greatly help. Magnifico is a raw prospect, so expect him to begin his career as a flex tight end.

***

KEVIN DOTSON
Offensive Guard, Louisiana

This was probably the biggest mistake by the selection committee who invites players to the combine. Dotson is stronger than his size (305 pounds) and plays with good foot quickness as a blocker. Not only should Dotson get drafted, he could end up being a top-100 player off the board in the 2020 NFL Draft.

***

AUZOYAH ALUFOHAI
Defensive Tackle, West Georgia

I love watching small-school prospects stand out on the “All-Star Road Trip” that I go on every January. West Georgia defensive tackle Auzoyah Alufohai had to be one of my favorite such players in 2020. Alufohai is a stout defender in the middle who is difficult to push off the line of scrimmage. He’s not just a space-eater and can get penetration to make opposing quarterbacks feel uncomfortable. If not drafted, Alufohai will make a great priority free agent.

***

REGGIE FLOYD
Safety, Virginia Tech

When you combine coverage ability, football intelligence and hard-hitting intent that’s what you get when watching Virginia Tech safety Reggie Floyd. He’s the type of player who can roam in the defensive backfield but fly forward to stuff the run when needed. Floyd is a shorter safety, but he makes up for his lack of height with intelligence and good burst to the ball.

Broncos

Bo Nix...

James Merilatt

Payton is betting his legacy on being smarter than everyone else

The sixth quarterback off the board typically doesn't amount to much in the NFL, but the Broncos are betting that Bo Nix bucks the trend

10 hours ago

Bo Nix Broncos mock draft...

Cecil Lammey

Bo Nix should be the Broncos starting QB from day one

After spending the No. 12 overall pick on a 24-year-old QB, the Broncos have no reason not to put their new signal caller on the field

10 hours ago

Broncos undrafted tracker...

DenverSports.com

Broncos undrafted additions tracker

Who are the Broncos adding after the draft? Find out with our tracker of undrafted additions to the team's roster.

1 day ago

Sean Payton...

Andrew Mason

Find out the ‘vision’ Sean Payton has for his Day 3 draft picks

What does Sean Payton plan for his five Day 3 draft picks? He explained after the Broncos concluded their 2024 draft work.

2 days ago

Nick Gargiulo Broncos offensive lineman...

Will Petersen

Broncos add versatile offensive lineman with their final pick of draft

Nick Gargiulo played the 2023 season at South Carolina, after spending five years at Yale; he'll compete with the Broncos offensive linemen

2 days ago

Devaughn Vele Broncos wide receiver...

Will Petersen

Broncos take second wide receiver of the day in seventh round

Devaughn Vele joins Troy Franklin in the Broncos rookie class, and he'll be in Denver's wide receiver room with a handful of veterans

2 days ago

Seven players who were snubbed by the NFL Scouting Combine