The National Football League Scouting Combine, first held in 1982, is rapidly approaching in 2026, and this year will mark the 45th anniversary of the talent and skills showcase. Historically, the combine has served as a platform for some of the top draft prospects in the country to display what they can do on the field, just as much as off of it in front of pro scouts, coaches, and staff members.
Obviously, not every player can perform in front of NFL teams at this event, so it makes the invite and honor that much more important to those hoping to hear their name called in April. The majority of those selected in the league’s draft are combine attendees, as it serves as a springboard to garner interest and recognition. What about those who are unable to attend or are not invited? Does that prevent them from being drafted at all? Not necessarily, but recent history says that it is a lot tougher to be chosen if you do not work out at the combine.
Since the 2009 season, in which they won Super Bowl XLIV, the New Orleans Saints have made a total of 103 selections at the NFL Draft. Ten (yes, 10) of those draft picks were made on players who did not receive a scouting combine invitation in their respective year. Less than ten percent of all players drafted by the team over the course of nearly 20 years did not participate in Lucas Oil Stadium during the offseason. For a cherry on top, none of those ten players were drafted in the same class.
Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and see who those ten lucky souls were to be drafted to New Orleans, even without a chance to shine at the combine:
- 2024- Khristian Boyd, DT, Northern Iowa, RD 6, Pick 199
- 2021- Kawaan Baker, WR, South Alabama, RD 7, Pick 255
- 2020- Tommy Stevens, TE, Mississippi State, RD 7, Pick 240
- 2019- Kaden Ellis, LB, Idaho, RD 7, Pick 244
- 2018- Boston Scott, RB, Louisiana Tech, RD 6, Pick 201
- 2016- David Onyemata, DT, Manitoba, RD 4, Pick 120
- 2015- Davis Tull, LB, Tennessee-Chattanooga, RD 5, Pick 148
- 2014- Tavon Rooks, OT, Kansas State, RD 6, Pick 202
- 2013- Rufus Johnson, DE, Tarleton State, RD 6, Pick 183
- 2011- Nate Bussey, LB, Illinois, RD 7, Pick 243
Onyemata, perhaps the most recognizable name on this list, spent the first seven seasons of his career battling in the trenches for New Orleans. His name may still ring a bell for Saints fans because he now plays against New Orleans twice a season as a member of the rival Atlanta Falcons.
Khristian Boyd, the most recent of these selections, is a rotational piece in the current defensive line for New Orleans. He has appeared in ten games through two seasons for the Saints.
Obviously, while it may still be possible to carve out a name for yourself and get drafted without attending the premier scouting event for the NFL, lacking that opportunity certainly puts players’ backs against the wall as they continue to work hard to reach the ultimate goal of playing in the National Football League.