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Top eight storylines for NFL Scouting Combine

Leonard Fournette

2. Those not invited

The NFL has made it clear. This annual dog-and-pony show is a reward for college football players that have made themselves viable draft prospects. That includes off-field situations.

Among the names passed over for an invite due to off-field issues, Oklahoma’s Joe Mixon heads the list. Considered a potential first-round prospect prior to the release of a video depicting him punching a woman, there was legitimate debate about just how high Mixon might go. That’s no longer in question. In fact, there’s a scenario in play here that suggests Mixon won’t be drafted at all (more on that here).

Mississippi teammates Chad Kelly and Damore’ea Stringfellow were also not invited to the combine due to off-field issues. Neither one was projected to be a top-round pick, but their absence could lead to each one going undrafted completely.

None of this is without drama. While the NFL has clearly indicated that its combine is a privilege, it really does place teams behind the proverbial eight-ball. Sure they will have an opportunity to see these three up close at their school’s pro days and in interviews, but that’s not the same.

The question now becomes whether a majority of NFL teams will simply pass up on talented prospects because the league itself viewed said players not worthy of a combine invite. Add in the recent focus on off-field issues, and that’s magnified even further.

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