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.
The names of the 337 players invited to the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine has been released.https://t.co/VTgs4HSBvB pic.twitter.com/avKeFwm99x
— NFL Draft (@NFLDraft) February 7, 2020
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
