Every year, 330 NFL draft prospects are invited to Indianapolis to be tested mentally, physically and athletically in front of every NFL decision maker, plus most NFL scouting and coaching personnel.
However, even with 330 players invited, 15 percent of players drafted each year on average will have not been in attendance at the NFL Scouting Combine.
This year, the NFL opted not to invite eligible prospects who had previously been convicted of violent crimes, which excludes a handful of top players, most notably Ole Miss’ Chad Kelly.
This list of 2017 Combine "snubs" does not include those players, but rather players who were overlooked as draft-worthy prospects. Here are the 10 biggest snubs, organized by position.
MORE: Most Combine invites by college, conference
Zach Terrell, QB, Western Michigan
The best quarterback at the East-West Shrine Game, Terrell was snubbed from the Combine in favor of Minnesota’s Mitch Leidner and Texas A&M’s Trevor Knight. While those two have better NFL size and arm strength, neither has shown the efficiency or ball placement to warrant draft consideration like Terrell has.
Terrell is likely a career NFL backup but could be a great one at that. And in today’s NFL, where effective backups are set to cost teams upwards of $6 million a year, Terrell and a Day 3 draft pick’s salary should be pretty appealing to NFL teams.
I’Tavius Mathers, RB, Middle Tennessee State
Mathers is a former Ole Miss transfer who emerged as a dual-value running back this season in his first year as a full-time starter. He's one of the better receiving backs in the 2017 NFL Draft class.
He offers explosiveness and top-end speed, and he’ll likely be a sub-4.50 40 talent at his eventual Pro Day. While it’s a loaded running back class and we could see upwards of 30 running backs drafted this year (most since 2000), Mathers will have to re-assert himself in that grouping.
Chad Williams, WR, Grambling State
A late Senior Bowl addition after he impressed at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, Williams showcased why he was a productive senior at Grambling State this year. He offers great body control and coordination, and the Combine could have done wonders to show NFL teams his vertical speed.
Even in a strong receiver class, Williams is highly likely to be a draft pick. He reminds of a lesser version of Brandon Marshall.
MORE: Mock Draft 2017
Taylor McNamara, TE, USC
One of the biggest “winners” from the East-West Shrine Game, the athletic tight end from USC was a shocking omission from the official invite list. McNamara offers awesome seam positioning and finishing ability with strength in traffic, and he proved as much during Shrine Game practices.
Still, as a non-Combine invite, McNamara might have an uphill battle to secure a draft position. As talented as the running back class is, this might be the deepest tight end class in recent history, and McNamara will have to continue to win over teams during the process, most notably at his Pro Day.
Jylan Ware, OT, Alabama State
Despite being a 6-8 offensive tackle with remarkable balance and lateral control in a relatively weak class, Ware continues to be overlooked for major all-star games and now the Combine.
Ware will likely have 20-plus NFL teams at his Pro Day now after being snubbed from the Combine, and he’ll be a sleeper offensive tackle to note who has legitimate left tackle potential.
DeAngelo Brown, DT, Louisville
Nose tackles are always valued highly by NFL teams because there simply aren’t enough defensive tackles capable (and big enough) to play the position. Brown was arguably Louisville’s most important defender this year, and his capability as a nose tackle should make him a strong choice to be a drafted.
His Combine testing numbers shouldn’t matter much, outside of his explosive testing and bench reps. Louisville will see good NFL team representation at his Pro Day to make up for it.
Jimmie Gilbert, OLB, Colorado
Maybe the most glaring and surprising omission from the Combine, Gilbert has been a productive, versatile and consistent edge rusher for the last two years. He was a big reason for Colorado’s surprising success this year.
As is the case with all edge rushers, the Combine testing numbers will be essential to his draft grade. Colorado is loaded with NFL talent this year, so he’ll have every NFL team in attendance when he finally gets to test. But he might be the most glaring missing player at this year’s Combine.
Jordan Herdman, LB, Simon Fraser
One of the most productive small school linebackers in the country, Herdman was a late Senior Bowl call-up due to injuries at the position, and he emerged as a quality 3-4 inside linebacker prospect.
While he’s a bit stiff and wouldn’t have tested overly well in quickness-based drills, his explosiveness and power testing could have helped earn him a draft pick. After impressing in his ideal role at the Senior Bowl, Herdman is still a small school name to remember as the draft nears.
MORE: Top 10 QBs in 2017 NFL Draft
Elijah Lee, LB, Kansas State
After a 110-tackle season and offering plus size for the position, the declared junior had a lot to prove at the Combine in terms of his lateral quickness and fluidity as a coverage linebacker and pass rusher. He's an effective 3-4 inside linebacker or 4-3 strong side linebacker, and his production proved as much.
But Lee's lack of great coverage range or sack production may limit the teams interested in him as a mid-round draft choice. If he can't produce impressive numbers at his Pro Day, Lee may end up seriously regretting his decision to enter the draft early.
Cornerback: Aarion Penton, Missouri
After a strong Shrine Game performance, Penton got “called up” to the Senior Bowl and impressed as one of the best nickel cornerbacks. He proved his value against the top slot receivers in the draft class, and his impressive and efficient slot coverage ability will continued to be valued highly by NFL teams.
Only one Missouri player was invited to the Combine (defensive end Charles Harris), so there should be a heavy NFL contingent at their Pro Day for Penton to show off hopefully sub-4.5 speed. If he does, he should secure a draft choice.