On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
In the 2023 NFL Draft, there were 35 total players drafted who were not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. Of those 35 players, 24 came on the defensive side of the ball, and three were drafted in the third round. One of them was Kobie Turner, who led all rookie defensive linemen in sacks while tying for the most pressures of that group.
While getting an invite to the scouting combine is huge for prospects, it is possible to get still drafted. On top of that, the Denver Broncos have had success finding gems who went undrafted and weren't invited to the Scouting Combine, Chris Harris and Phillip Lindsay among them. With only six picks in the NFL Draft currently, the Broncos could use some of that luck in finding undrafted free agents.
Why is he a snub?
Entering the 2023 season, Boyd had 49 total pressures over four seasons. He nearly doubled that with 40 pressures during the season. His play was clean and consistent as he moved around the front more often.
Why isn't he a snub?
Boyd wasn't getting a lot of hype entering the season. The season was solid, but there was nothing significant to change the perception of him. He had a great week during the Shrine Bowl, but that might've been too late.
Why is he a snub?
Briggs was more consistent in 2023 than in previous seasons despite it not reflecting in the box score. He has some great traits to work with but still needs it all put together. While he had a good Shrine Bowl week, it could be another situation of being too late.
Why isn't he a snub?
Briggs's career hasn't been great, but it has not been terrible. There is a concern that he is still putting everything together after five years of college play. His season highs are 23 pressures and five sacks.
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?
Taylor is a physical safety with plenty of experience over three years. He has lined up all over the secondary and consistently made plays. While he didn't always face the toughest competition, he dominated those he played against.
Why isn't he a snub?
Over the years, military academy guys tend to be left off the combine invites. That could be the reasoning here, as there isn't any other apparent reason.
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.
More must-reads:
- Packers releasing three-time Super Bowl champion
- Browns releasing one-time Pro Bowl wide receiver
- The 'Season TD pass leaders by NFL team' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
TODAY'S BEST
Browns releasing one-time Pro Bowl wide receiver
Diontae Johnson‘s efforts to find a stable NFL home will likely not include time with the Browns. The veteran wideout is being released today, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero report. The wide receiver’s tumultuous 2024 included a bevy of transactions and multiple aims to be traded and ultimately crushed his free agency value. Johnson was traded twice and cut twice last year, leading to a veteran-minimum Browns deal. Failing to make Cleveland’s 53-man roster represents another blow to a player who entered last season as a career-long starter. No other team made Johnson an offer this offseason. The Browns will not take on any dead money from this release as a result of the vet-minimum deal including no guarantees. The team did not add any other veteran receivers of note, but it will still move on from a former 1,000-yard player who had excelled for the Steelers over an extended stretch. The Steelers and Panthers traded Johnson last year after he grew unhappy with both situations. But Johnson then drew a team-imposed suspension in Baltimore after refusing to reenter a late-season game with the Ravens — who did not give the effective route runner a regular role. Johnson then grew unhappy with his Texans role following a subsequent waiver claim. The Ravens claimed him again for procedural purposes, wrapping a transaction-crazed (but largely inconsequential, productivity-wise) year for the six-year veteran. Cleveland has Cedric Tillman positioned as Jerry Jeudy‘s top complementary option, with 2024 fifth-rounder Jamari Thrash in the mix as well. The Browns also changed their receiver situation this month, signing Texas product Isaiah Bond after the rookie was not indicted on sexual assault charges. Johnson, 29, will pass straight to free agency as a vested veteran.
Chicago Bears waive wide receiver who was 2025 training camp favorite
The Chicago Bears took another big step toward slashing their roster to the final 53-man squad on Tuesday morning. According to team insider Brad Biggs, the Bears have waived training camp favorite J.P. Richardson, and undrafted rookie wide reciever from TCU. Poles also cut ties with offensive lineman Ricky Stromberg, a former third-round pick who some presumed would offer interior line depth at the time he was added. The Chicago Bears were 20 roster moves away from the 53-man limit before these two transactions. Richardson made an early impression at Bears training camp and emerged as the summer's fan-favorite in late-July. His momentum cooled quite a bit once the preseason schedule rolled around, and with so much depth at receiver on Chicago's roster, Richardson's chances never seemed strong. There is, however, a possibility he returns to the Bears on the practice squad. It's highly unlikely another team will put a waiver claim in for him (it guarantees an active roster spot). Once Richardson clears waivers, he's a name to monitor for Chicago's practice team. Richardson finished the 2024 season with 57 catches for 733 yards and two touchdowns for the Horned Frogs.
Micah Parsons trade request: Adam Schefter shares latest update on future with Cowboys
What's next for WR Diontae Johnson after latest release?
Diontae Johnson's NFL career took another frustrating turn on Tuesday when he was reportedly cut by the Cleveland Browns, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. It continues what has been a wild journey for the 29-year-old over the past three seasons, where he has been a part of five different franchises — the Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans and most recently, the Browns. After being selected by the Steelers in the third round of the 2019 draft, Johnson's career began with such promise. He was not only the team's top pass-catcher for a few years, but was at times an electrifying playmaker that combined elite route-running with big-play potential. His best season came in 2021 with the Steelers when he caught 107 passes for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns, and was named to his first and only Pro Bowl. Instead of building on that breakout season, things rapidly declined not only in terms of Johnson's production but also his standing with Pittsburgh and its coaching staff. Drops, sideline and locker room feuds and overall inconsistent play resulted in him being traded to the Carolina Panthers before the 2024 campaign. With the Panthers struggling and Johnson again showing frustration, he was traded to the Ravens just before the trade deadline in October 2024. After refusing to enter a game, Baltimore suspended him late in the season before ultimately releasing him. That resulted in Johnson joining the Texans for two games, where he was again released. With the Browns releasing him on Tuesday, Johnson has now been traded two times and released three times in less than three seasons. Will another team give him an opportunity? Many clubs need wide receiver depth, and at his best, Johnson has been a productive player and is a precise route-runner with a knack for getting open and finding soft spots in an opposing defense. However, his flaws seemingly outnumber those positives. Johnson does not consistently catch the football; he tends to give up ground and run backwards on plays in an effort to make a bigger play, and he has now worn out his welcome with several different coaching staffs and organizations. It only takes one coach and team to think they can get the most out of a player. Even if Johnson lands somewhere else soon, it is hard to imagine him being more than just a depth player at this stage of his career.
Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love Says No to Potential Nickname After Surgery
The Green Bay Packers have a tough assignment right away in the upcoming 2025 NFL season, as they are scheduled to lock horns with the Detroit Lions in Week 1 at Lambeau Field. With Jordan Love running the show from under center for the Packers, Green Bay fans are hoping that the team will have a great start to the campaign, something that did not happen in 2024, when Matt LaFleur’s squad lost its season opener to the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil. Before that showdown between the Lions and the Packers in Green Bay, Love went on an interview with “Kay Adams on the Up Adams Show with Kay Adams.” In a post on X (formerly Twitter) that promoted the interview, Adams wrote the following as a caption: “I always leave a chat with Jordan Love completely impressed. Please watch comment. He’s the terminator. He’s dialed in. He IS a Packer.” In the interview itself, Adams asked Love about the nickname directly. “Are you the terminator?” Adams asked. “No, why do you say that?” Love responded. Adams thought it was an apt nickname for the former Utah State Aggies star QB after his quick recovery from a seemingly minor thumb surgery. Can the Green Bay Packers end the Lions’ dominance in the matchup? The Packers won 11 games and suffered six losses in 2024. Two of those losses came at the hands of the Lions. Detroit beat the Packers in Week 9 at Lambeau Field, 24-14, and then again in Week 14 at Ford Field via a 34-31 score. Green Bay has struggled to win against the Lions over the last few years. In fact, the Packers have won just once in their last seven meetings with Detroit. Still, the Packers should love their chances to beat the Lions in Week 1. Green Bay is favored in that contest at the moment by 1.5 points as of this writing (per Covers).
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
