Finding Broncos: 11 Offensive Prospects Snubbed from NFL Combine

Can the Denver Broncos find a steal from a prospect snubbed from the combine?

Erick Trickel | Feb 15, 2024

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There are 321 NFL Draft prospects invited to the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, and while most of the draft picks will have been invited, each year, there are around 30 who were snubbed from the combine. The process for combine invites is an interesting one, and teams use the process strategically, which is how some snubs happen.

So, the process is a representative for each team to vote for prospects through an online portal. The first vote is in December, and they vote again in January after underclassmen declare. They go until they get about 320 prospects (321 this year and 319 in 2023). Some teams won't vote for a player even if they are high on them if they know other teams are lower on them. This helps lead to snubs.

In the 2023 NFL Draft, 35 total prospects were drafted without a combine invite and 10 of them were on the offense. The earliest was Chandler Zavala as the 114th overall pick, and six were all drafted in the seventh round. So, who are some prospects that can hear their name called despite not being invited to the combine? Let's take a look at 11 of them.

Taulia Tagovailoa | QB | Maryland

Why is he a snub?

It was a solid year for the Maryland quarterback, but he had a great week at the Shrine Bowl. While his arm has questions, it would've been nice to see it next to all the other quarterbacks that will be there, and the athletic testing could've helped his stock.

Why isn't he a snub?

Tagovailoa's collegiate career never took off as expected, and he has never met expectations over the years. He has a 77-37 TD-INT ratio and is viewed as a limited prospect with arm strength questions.

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Carson Steele | RB | UCLA

Why is he a snub?

Steele was at Ball State until transferring to UCLA for 2023. He had a solid year, but not a great one. His production wasn't outstanding, but it was better than that of others invited, and he stepped up big with increased competition.

Why isn't he a snub?

Less than 900 yards rushing and only six touchdowns isn't ideal in a draft year. The offense he played in also could have hurt his positioning to get an invite.

Jabari Small | RB | Tennessee

Why is he a snub?

Small had a good week at the Hula Bowl and Shrine Bowl and always stepped up when on the field. He was the second fiddle and played it well, and getting confirmed answers to his athletic testing at his size would've been great.

Why isn't he a snub?

This is strictly about production, as he put up less than 500 yards with two touchdowns in 2023 and a season-high of 785 yards in 2021.

Deshaun Fenwick | RB | Oregon State

Why is he a snub?

Listed at 6-foot-2 and 222 pounds, it would have been great to see Fenwick go through the athletic testing. The production isn't ideal, but he consistently made plays when on the field. It also would've allowed him to see what he could offer as a receiver.

Why isn't he a snub?

Fenwick had over 1,000 yards when you combine his last two seasons (521 yards in 2023 and 553 in 2022). He also put the ball on the ground five times on 289 carries over the previous three years.

Blake Watson | RB | Memphis

Why is he a snub?

Watson is a smaller explosive back with over 3,000 yards rushing combined in the last three seasons with 27 touchdowns to five fumbles. He had a heavy workload and outstanding production.

Why isn't he a snub?

Unlike others on this list, there isn't an apparent reason why he was left off. The production was excellent and consistent for the last three years, and the NFL is always looking for explosive players.

Casey Washington | WR | Illinois

Why is he a snub?

Washington wasn't part of a great offense, but he was still consistent with making plays. His tape shows good versatility in his role and where he can line up.

Why isn't he a snub?

Never being the top guy hurts Washington, as does the poor offense he was a part of. The opportunities were not great; he was second on the team with 76 targets, 49 catches, and two drops.

Joshua Cephus | WR | UTSA

Why is he a snub?

Cephus dominated his competition by putting up 1,152 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023. His production and play improved each year. Those are things you want to see. He received one game under 50 yards, with four over 100 in 2023.

Why isn't he a snub?

This is another snub that doesn't have an apparent reason. Dominating the competition he played against is essential for guys from a non-Power Five conference.

Doug Nester | OL | West Virginia

Why is he a snub?

Nester is an experienced tackle with 3,295 snaps played in his career and only seven sacks allowed. His size will catch your eye, and he had a good week at the Hula Bowl and Shrine Bowl.

Why isn't he a snub?

There doesn't seem to be much athletic ability or upside in Nester. His tape is pretty consistent, but he lacks the ideal traits you look for.

Darrian Dalcourt | OL | Alabama

Why is he a snub?

Dalcourt may not have the desired experience, but he has shown versatility and solid ability when he did see the field. He started games at right guard in 2023 and allowed seven total pressures in those five games. Most of his time has been spent as a center, playing 1,128 of his 1,427 snaps there.

Why isn't he a snub?

He wasn't a consistent starter and has little experience behind him. With how the process goes, not having much exposure will help keep him from getting an invite.

Willis Patrick | OL | TCU

Why is he a snub?

Willis Patrick is a big and wide offensive lineman with plenty of power. While he isn't the best athlete, there is some athleticism there. It would've been nice to get confirmed athletic testing results to see how much of an athlete he is for his size.

Why isn't he a snub?

Patrick has solid experience and did well this last season at TCU. Maybe the lack of elite athleticism played a part, but also playing at three different programs the last three years doesn't help.

Sincere Haynesworth | OL | Tulane

Why is he a snub?

Haynesworth has played 3,987 snaps over four years and did consistently well. He doesn't have a great size or length, which would be nice to get. His play was solid, and he brings much center experience to a decent center draft class.

Why isn't he a snub?

The biggest question about Haynesworth is the size and length, which you can get at his Pro Day. This is a solid center class, and about 10 pure centers have already been invited to the class.

With the Broncos' limited draft picks, can they afford to take a shot on someone they didn't get to see at the combine? A clear value is placed on the combine, and 224 out of the 259 players drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft were at the combine. Of course, a big reason for that is all of the top prospects going, but some snubs can have a significant impact as a rookie. Maybe the Broncos can find one.

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Published Feb 15, 2024

ERICK TRICKEL

Erick Trickel is the Senior Draft Analyst for Mile High Huddle, has covered the Denver Broncos, NFL, and NFL Draft for the site since 2014.