Finding Broncos: 10 Defensive Prospects Snubbed from NFL Combine

Can the Broncos find a hidden gem on defense who was snubbed from the NFL Scouting Combine?

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. 

Khristian Boyd | IDL | Northern Iowa

© Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

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. 

Jowon Briggs | IDL | Cincinnati

© Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

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. 

Evan Anderson | IDL | Florida Atlantic

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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. 

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Nathan Pickering | IDL | Mississippi State

© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

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.  

Grayson Murphy | IDL/Edge | UCLA

© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

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. 

Jackson Sirmon | LB | California

© Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

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. 

Qwan'tez Stiggers | DB | Canadian Football League

© Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

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. 

Beanie Bishop Jr | CB | West Virginia

© Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

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. 

Trey Taylor | S | Air Force

© Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

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. 

Mark Perry | S | TCU

© Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

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. 

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