Tag: combine snubs

7 Combine snubs that Chargers should keep on their radar

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lists seven Combine snubs that the Los Angeles Chargers could consider drafting.

337 NFL draft prospects were invited to the National Scouting Combine, which is scheduled for next week. The list consisted of players that were automatically pinned to get one, some surprises and quite a few that weren’t invited, leaving some scratching their heads.

Even though there are plenty of prospects that didn’t get the nod, it doesn’t mean that they won’t be getting drafted come April. Last year, 33 players didn’t attend, but still ended up being selected, including seventh-rounder defensive tackle Cortez Broughton.

The Chargers’ scouting department and front office have all been doing their homework since the start of August, so they are very familiar with all the talent out there.

With that being said, here are seven combine snubs who should be on the Bolts’ radar.

WR Jonathan Johnson, Missouri

Johnson, the big play-maker, averaged 18.1 yards per catch and 17.7 yards per catch as a freshman and sophomore, respectively, and finished his career with 14.3 yards per catch. Though he is undersized at 5-foot-8 and 179 pounds, he has elite quickness to separate, and he is an explosive athlete in space with the ball in his hands.

OG Kevin Dotson, Louisiana-Lafayette

Dotson, the AP first-team All American, has good toughness and is sufficient in sustaining blocks by showing exceptional power and hand placement, along with the foot quickness. He is a very strong finisher and regularly takes opponents to the ground through the whistle. We’ve highlighted his former teammate Robert Hunt as a potential option for the Chargers, but Dotson should be in strong consideration, too.

OT Darrin Paulo, Utah

Paulo, a three-year starter for the Utes, has good athletic traits and decent movement skills, but he needs refinement with his technique. Paulo would project best as a backup lineman at the next level, with experience on the blindside, but a skillset more suited for right tackle.

OT Jared Hilbers, Washington

Hilbers took over at left tackle when his former teammate and current NFL prospect Trey Adams had his season come to an end in 2018. He moved over to replace Falcons’ Kaleb McGary. Hilbers is a better run blocker, but he has a good, natural skillset and flashes of athletic pass protection. Like Paolo, he would be a solid depth option.

DT Bravvion Roy, Baylor

At 327 pounds, Roy is a massive human with eyebrow-raising quickness to wear down blockers. He was moved all up and down the line for the Bears, but he would be the ideal candidate to serve as a rotational nose tackle for the Chargers to help aide with clogging up the middle with his point-of-attack power.

CB DeMarkus Acy, Missouri

Acy was one of the betters corners in the SEC that wasn’t talked about, notching three interceptions and 20 passes defended. The 6-foot-2 and 215 pounder is long and rangy who has experience in a variety of coverages. His speed and play recognition are perfect traits for defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s zone scheme.

LB Tae Crowder, Georgia

Crowder didn’t start playing on the defensive side of the ball until 2017. But he has made an impact at the linebacker position since then. He isn’t the most explosive player, but he uses his quickness, football intelligence and coverage ability to make plays in pass defense, and his read and react abilities to make plays against the run. Crowder is a nice depth option with key special teams upside.

10 Combine snubs the Lions should keep on their radar

Identifying 10 players from the 2020 draft class that were not invited to the NFL Combine but should still be on the Detroit Lions radar.

The NFL has released the 2020 NFL Combine participants list, and despite it containing 337 players, there were a few notable names not invited to Indianapolis for the event.

Just because a player didn’t receive an invite doesn’t mean the NFL isn’t still paying attention to them. Last year, players such as David Blough, Kevin Strong, and C.J. Moore were not invited to the 2019 NFL Combine, yet still earned a spot on the Detroit Lions active roster and contributed in significant ways throughout the year.

Here are 10 players who were snubbed from the 2020 NFL Combine that should still be on the Lions radar.

Reggie Corbin, RB, Illinois

After a 2018 season that saw him average an astounding 8.5 yards per rush and eclipse 1,000-yards rushing, Corbin saw his production drop in 2019, which likely let to him being left off the invitation list.

Corbin’s (est. 5-8, 201) speed, ability to set up defenders, and natural lateral movement skills are all easily at an NFL level, which makes him a perfect candidate for a team that uses a running back by committee approach. If the Lions don’t retain J.D. McKissic, Corbin could be a potential replacement.

Tavien Feaster, RB, South Carolina

Feaster (est. 5-11, 222) played three years at Clemson before transferring to South Carolina ahead of the 2019 season. With solid straight-line speed — especially for a back his size — and the ability to catch passes out of the backfield, there should be some appeal from NFL teams who are looking for a bigger third-down back.

Kevin Dotson, G, Louisana

Dotson (est. 6-4, 324) will likely be the first player drafted who wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine, potentially even in the third or fourth round. Dotson is a powerful interior offensive lineman who is a force in both the run and pass game, earning a spot as an AP first-team All-American and grading out as Pro Football Focus’ top interior offensive lineman.

The Lions are familiar with the Ragin’ Cajuns’ program — they drafted Tracy Walker from there in the third round of the 2018 draft — and met with Dotson at the East-West Shrine game last month. He’s firmly on their radar.

Tyler Clark, DL, Georgia

Georgia’s scheme gives Clark (est. 6-3, 289) the needed 2-gapping experience — nose tackle John Atkins came from the same program — and his body-type, ability to shed defenders and get into the backfield makes him a candidate for the Lions’ big defensive end role. That spot is currently occupied by Da’Shawn Hand and the aforementioned Kevin Strong, but the Lions will be on the lookout for more depth on the defensive line.

Bravvion Roy, NT, Baylor

Speaking of defensive line depth, Roy has nose tackle size but is more of a pass rusher than anchor at the 0-technique. He brings a different style of play than what the Lions have in Damon Harrison and Atkins, but there’s some appeal to having a player like him in the rotation.

Mike Danna, EDGE, Michigan

A favorite of PFF from his time at Central Michigan, Danna (est. 6-2, 257) earned a 27-percent pass-rushing rate with the Chippewas, but he saw his play drop off a bit in 2019 playing in the Big Ten and in a rotational role along the Wolverines’ deep defensive line. In the NFL, Danna will likely begin his career as a pass-rushing specialist with upside and special teamer.

TJ Brunson, LB, South Carolina

Brunson (6-1, 219) was one of only two players to participate in the Senior Bowl, yet not receive an invite to the Combine. He is undersized for the Lions scheme, but his aggressiveness and ability to be physical against the run could earn him a role on special teams. If the Lions decide to move on from Miles Killebrew, Brunson could be a player who could compete to fill the vacancy.

Levonta Taylor, NB, Florida State

Taylor (est. 5-10, 186), a former 5-star recruit, was a big get for the Seminoles out of high school, but injuries and inability to stay at one position have impeded his draft stock. In the NFL, Taylor won’t fit every scheme, but for the Lions, he would fill a developmental nickel corner/safety role.

Jared Mayden, S, Alabama

Mayden (6-0, 201), the other Senior Bowler not invited to Indianapolis, is a reliable tackler capable of playing on defense as a corner/safety option in the slot but his path to the NFL is likely on special teams where he shined in college.

Myles Dorn, S, North Carolina

Dorn (est. 6-1, 198) is a rangy defender who can play deep as well as in the box. His game is drenched in aggressiveness, instincts, high energy, and is a reliable tackler which will make him a natural special teams player in the NFL.