There are 338 players invited to participate in the 2019 NFL combine, which provides NFL teams with a first-hand look at prospects in this year's draft class.
Of course, not every prospect can get invited, as each year notable college stars are snubbed from the prominent pre-draft event.
However, just because a combine invite isn't extended doesn't mean a player can't go on to have a significant career in the NFL.
Those players are among 10 notable active NFL players who did not participate in the NFL combine.
Doug Baldwin, WR, Seahawks
College: Stanford
Draft: 2011, undrafted
Despite leading the Cardinal in receiving yards and touchdowns in his senior season, Baldwin went undrafted and was signed as a free agent by the Seahawks. Baldwin's 6,563 career receiving yards rank behind No. 4 overall pick A.J. Green's 8,907 and No. 6 pick Julio Jones' 10,731. First rounder Jonathan Baldwin — no relation — managed just 607. Seems the Chiefs selected the wrong Baldwin.
Malcolm Butler, CB, Titans
College: West Alabama
Draft: 2014, undrafted
Butler earned a contract with the Patriots after being invited to the team's rookie minicamp. Eight months later, he made the clutch play that earned the Patriots a fourth Super Bowl title, picking off Russell Wilson at the goal line to secure a win over the Seattle Seahawks. In the 2018 offseason, Butler got paid, signing a five-year, $61.25 million contract (with $30 million guaranteed) with the Titans.
Julian Edelman, WR, Patriots
College: Kent State
Draft: 2009, seventh round
Edelman was a three-year starter at quarterback while at Kent State. But at 5-foot-10, he was seen better off switching to wide receiver. It's worked out quite well for Edelman and the Patriots. He's been a vital contributor for three title-winning teams, including earning MVP honors in Super Bowl LIII.
In a decade's time, Julian Edelman went from not being invited to the NFL combine to being Super Bowl MVP. (Photo11: Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers
College: Kent State
Draft: 2003, undrafted
Gates emerged from college basketball player to become an eight-time Pro Bowl selection at tight end. He is third all-time among tight ends in receiving yards (behind Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten), is the Chargers' all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown, and is a virtual lock to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame when he becomes eligible.
Stephen Gostkowski, K, Patriots
College: Memphis
Draft: 2006, fourth round
There were two kickers who participated in the 2006 combine; neither was drafted. Gostkowski has collected three Super Bowl rings and is the Patriots' all-time leader in scoring.
Chris Harris, CB, Broncos
College: Kansas
Draft: 2011, undrafted
There were 53 defensive backs selected in the 2011 NFL draft, but Harris wasn't one of them. He parlayed a training camp invite by the Broncos in 2011 into a successful career in which he's been selected to four Pro Bowls. Harris also was a vital member of a defensive unit that propelled Denver to victory in Super Bowl 50.
Tyreek Hill, WR, Chiefs
College: West Alabama
Draft: 2016, fifth round
Hailing from the same school that produced Malcolm Butler, Hill's checkered past (domestic abuse charges for which he pleaded guilty were later dismissed upon completion of an intervention program, and his record was expunged) kept him off some teams' draft boards. But after Hill ran a 4.29-second 40-yard dash at his pro day, the Chiefs drafted him and quickly turned him into one of the NFL's most explosive offensive players.
MOCK DRAFT: First-round outlook before combine
NFL SCOUTING COMBINE: Kyler Murray will face plenty of tough questions
FOOTBALL FIX: NFL news delivered to your inbox
Phillip Lindsay, RB, Broncos
College: Colorado
Draft: 2018, undrafted
Lindsay's rookie season stands among the best ever for an undrafted player. It started strong, as he beat out third-round pick Royce Freeman for the Broncos' starting running back gig and then became the first undrafted free agent in NFL history with 100-plus yards from scrimmage in each of his first two games. Lindsay finished his rookie season with 1,037 yards rushing, nine touchdowns and a Pro Bowl nod.
Adam Thielen, WR, Vikings
College: Minnesota State
Draft: 2013, undrafted
Thielen had to pay $250 just to be able to attend a regional combine. After spending the 2013 season on the Vikings' practice squad, he spent two seasons as a reserve before emerging as one of the NFL's top receivers in 2016. He's made the Pro Bowl the previous two seasons.
Alejandro Villanueva, OT, Steelers
College: Army
Draft: 2010, undrafted
Villanueva played a multitude of positions while at Army, including offensive guard, defensive end, tight end and wide receiver. More than three years after his last college game, Villanueva attended a super regional combine, was signed and then cut by the Eagles, and ultimately was picked up by the Steelers. He has developed into a reliable starter for Pittsburgh and been selected to the previous two Pro Bowls.
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Jim Reineking on Twitter @jimreineking.
Source: Read Full Article