Finding Broncos: 10 Defensive Prospects Snubbed from NFL Combine

There were 35 players selected overall in the 2023 NFL Draft who were not granted invitations to the NFL Scouting Combine.

Three of those 35 players were selected in the third round, and 24 of them played defence.

Among them was Kobie Turner, who tied for the most pressures among rookie defensive lineman and led them all in sacks.

Although being invited to the scouting combine is a big deal for prospects, you can still get drafted.

Furthermore, the Denver Broncos have been successful in identifying gems, such as Chris Harris and Phillip Lindsay,

who were not selected in the draft and were not invited to the Scouting Combine.

The Broncos might use their current six picks in the NFL Draft to their advantage.

Why is he a snub?

Anderson is a big-nose tackle at 6-foot-3 and 350+ pounds. He showed solid explosion, so getting that 10-yard split would’ve been nice.

Picking up 42 pressures and 10 sacks in four years is solid production for a nose tackle.

This class doesn’t have many pure-nose tackle options.

Why isn’t he a snub?

There isn’t much as a pass rusher and nose tackles are plummeting in value. They tend to fall through the cracks unless they are a great athlete for their size.

Why is he a snub?

Pickering wasn’t used how he should’ve been at Mississippi State, and he still did alright. The production took a hit, but seeing what he brings athletically would’ve been great.

Why isn’t he a snub?

Being used out of position and lacking production doesn’t help. Also, hurting Pickering is the body type, as he carries a lot of bad weight. Over five seasons, Pickering has played 1,717 snaps on defense, which is not ideal.

Why is he a snub?

Inviting one twin but not the other is a choice. Grayson Murphy is a bit of a tweener, not a true defensive lineman, but also not a true edge. However, he has been highly production, and the tweener label often means versatile with alignment. The drills at the combine would’ve allowed him to do drills for both.

Why isn’t he a snub?

This one isn’t clear. The production is great, with 160 pressures and 23 sacks over three seasons. His tackling was a bit of an issue in 2021 and 2022, but he showed significant improvement in 2023.

Why is he a snub?

With only six starts in 2023 due to injury, Sirmon needed great tape, and he did. He is highly intuitive and more athletic than you may think. Getting the numbers for the athletic testing and getting a chance to review the medical stuff would’ve been tremendous.

Why isn’t he a snub?

Sirmon started six games in 2023 and then missed the rest of the season. Those were great games and got him invited to the Senior Bowl, where he had an excellent week, but doesn’t help get an invite to the combine.

Why is he a snub?

If you don’t know the story about Stiggers, let me tell you. He didn’t play college football; instead, he went and played in the Canadian Football League. He put up good tape there and is now trying to make the jump to the NFL, which could bring significant changes in the future.

Why isn’t he a snub?

With him not taking the college route, some may view him as an outcast as he isn’t taking the standard approach to the NFL. With all the ways the CFL is from the NFL, that could work against him getting an invite, but I think it would help get an invite even more.

Why is he a snub?

Bishop picked up four interceptions and 14 passes broken up in 2023. He allowed only 54.5% of targets his way to be caught and called for three penalties (eight in his whole career). The production for 2023 is great, and he has the versatility to move around, so seeing him at the combine would’ve been big for him.

Why isn’t he a snub?

Bishop bounced around college and has six years under his belt. He also doesn’t have the ideal size for the NFL. His production was great for 2023 but might be labeled a one-year wonder.

Why is he a snub?

Bishop picked up four interceptions and 14 passes broken up in 2023. He allowed only 54.5% of targets his way to be caught and called for three penalties (eight in his whole career). The production for 2023 is great, and he has the versatility to move around, so seeing him at the combine would’ve been big for him.

Why isn’t he a snub?

Bishop bounced around college and has six years under his belt. He also doesn’t have the ideal size for the NFL. His production was great for 2023 but might be labeled a one-year wonder.

Why is he a snub?

Perry is a big and physical safety who has 2,860 snaps played over five seasons. He is a reliable box safety who does well against the run but can struggle in coverage. Having him go through coverage drills at the combine could’ve provided some extra insight.

Why isn’t he a snub?

Perry is a limited safety who doesn’t seem to offer up a lot in coverage.

While the coverage drills would’ve helped provide extra insight, it likely would’ve confirmed him as a box safety,

which teams are mostly going away from. Will any of these guys get drafted? There is a good chance a few of them will,

but at the very least, they could be options as undrafted free agents.

The Broncos can use help all over the roster and don’t have a lot of ammo to add to it in free agency or the draft.

Finding some gems among those not invited to the combine could go a long way to help the roster.

Get more related news on sportviewers.com