Underrated Combine Invitees: Offense

Over 90% of players drafted are invited to the annual NFL Combine in Indianapolis. As the Combine kicks off with drills, medical, interviews, and more, it is important to know some of the lesser names that receive invitations. Though being invited to the Combine is no guarantee of being drafted or NFL success, many of the players invited are overlooked by the casual fans and draftniks but are well known to NFL teams. Here is one player by position who is at the Combine but underrated by the general public.

Quarterback:

Anthony Boone, Duke

What Boone lacks in stature (he is listed at only 6’0 tall, well below the 6’2 threshold NFL teams covet,) he makes up for in physical talent and football IQ. With a solid arm and good footwork, Boone has made plenty of NFL throws at Duke. He isn’t always consistent and has some issues with his ball placement (especially placing it where only his WRs can get to it,) but he actually has an NFL skill set. His height could push him out of the draft, but he is a developmental back-up to know

Running back:

Zach Zenner, South Dakota State

Zenner has been insanely productive at South Dakota State with two seasons over 2,000 yards rushing and he is extremely hard to bring down. He has a big muscular build and shakes off tacklers who don’t bring good technique. Zenner has also shown the propensity to block and catch balls out of the back field. Not lightning fast, quick, or explosive, but he is a tough interior runner with some 3rd down ability that should be drafted and stick on a team.

Wide Receiver:

Geremy Davis, UConn

Davis has led the Huskies in receiving yards the past three seasons, including a 1,000 yard season in 2013. This year, the statistics didn’t look as good with the offenses struggles, but Davis is a very good player. He has great length and high points the football extremely well. For his size, he has good downfield speed and is physical off the line of scrimmage. Davis could be a late round pick who helps a team on the end of the roster and may develop into more.

Tight End:

Eric Tomlinson, UTEP

Tomlinson is a huge TE body at 6’6 and 263 pounds but never had a ton of production at UTEP. He only had 19 receptions this past season (after 30 receptions as a junior,) but he has soft hands, good foot speed, and is a very good blocker. Tomlinson profiles as an ideal #2 TE who can block who catch a tough pass for a first down or touchdown, often how he was used at UTEP. The lack of senior production has made him an unknown, but don’t count Tomlinson from getting drafted higher than anticipated.

Offensive Tackle:

Jamon Brown, Louisville

Brown’s 330 pound frame makes him tough to miss, but he seems to have been overlooked throughout the draft process so far. He has played both RT and LT at Louisville with pretty consistent success. Though he isn’t the best athlete, and probably will play OG at the next level (he actually played defensive tackle as a freshman and there have been rumblings about him moving to that side of the size,) he can stonewall in the run game. Brown has some decent athleticism for his size and could be a late round developmental pick.

Offensive Guard:

Jon Feliciano, Miami (FL)

Ereck Flowers is the Hurricane offensive lineman getting all the publicity but Feliciano is pretty darn good himself. He has a big frame at 335 pounds but he actually has shown some ability as a pulling guard. Get Feliciano in space and locked onto a defender and he becomes a bulldozer in the run game. He plays with a nasty streak and fits almost any scheme that values the run game and he could go early in the 3rd day.

Center:

Max Garcia, Florida

Garcia is a Maryland transfer who seems to be overlooked despite his big school pedigree. He is an efficient and effective center who provides accurate line calls and reads defenses well. He has some technique problems, but he gets good leverage and his anchor is excellent. Garcia should go late in the draft and might be someone who moves up throughout the offseason process.