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10 Current NFL Stars Who Were Not Invited To the Combine

10 Current NFL Stars Who Were Not Invited To the Combine

2012 NFL Combine
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It's hard to believe that certain players who have become stars in the present-day NFL didn't even receive an invite to the NFL Combine coming out of college. While it may have been disappointing for them at the time, their triumph certainly makes for a great story today. Here are 10 current players who have proven that a Combine invite is not essential for NFL success.

10. Doug Baldwin

Doug Baldwin Seattle Seahawks
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10. Doug Baldwin

Doug Baldwin Seattle Seahawks
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Doug Baldwin was signed by the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent and has developed into a star wide receiver over the past four years with the team. He's made two Super Bowl appearances, catching a touchdown in each of those games. After not being invited to the NFL Combine, he has definitely proven himself at the NFL level.

9. Sam Shields

Sam Shields Green Bay Packers
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9. Sam Shields

Sam Shields Green Bay Packers
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This 2014 Pro Bowl selection has had quite a career thus far for the Green Bay Packers after falling short of a Combine invitation in 2010. Ironically, Shields played most of his college ball at the wide receiver position for University of Miami, until switching to cornerback in his senior year, which may have been the reason he didn't receive a Combine invitation. Clearly that move has worked to his advantage.

8. Pat McAfee

Pat McAfee Indianapolis Colts
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

8. Pat McAfee

Pat McAfee Indianapolis Colts
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

McAfee has become quite the popular guy both on and off the field in his six years as a punter for the Colts. While he didn't receive a Combine invite, he did sneak into the 2009 NFL Draft, being picked in the 7th round by the Colts. And things have only gotten better from there. After six years of solid punting in Indy, he was finally selected to his first Pro Bowl in 2014.

7. Osi Umenyiora

Osi Umenyiora Atlanta Falcons
Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

7. Osi Umenyiora

Osi Umenyiora Atlanta Falcons
Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Umenyiora has had an impressive 11 years in the NFL at defensive end, most of which were played with the Giants. While in New York, he was selected to two Pro Bowls and won two Super Bowl rings. He has played his last two years with the Falcons and may be approaching the end of his successful career. It's definitely hard to believe this second-round draft pick wasn't invited to the NFL Combine.

6. Julian Edelman

Julian Edelman New England Patriots Superbowl
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

6. Julian Edelman

Julian Edelman New England Patriots Superbowl
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

This speedy wide receiver and Super Bowl champ has made quite an impact in the Patriots' offense. He flew under the radar coming out of Kent State back in 2009, but has proven himself in his six years in the NFL. He continues to get better and still has a great career ahead of him.

5. Fred Jackson

Fred Jackson Buffalo Bills
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5. Fred Jackson

Fred Jackson Buffalo Bills
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Jackson has played his entire NFL career with the Buffalo Bills and has developed into a star. He's coming up on his 10th year in the league and continues to prove that he can pound the ball and make a difference in the running game. Unfortunately, he has yet to play in a postseason game. Perhaps this is the year his hard running pays off and the Bills earn a playoff spot. If anyone deserves it, it's Jackson.

4. Victor Cruz

Victor Cruz New York Giants
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4. Victor Cruz

Victor Cruz New York Giants
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"Cruuuuuuuuz" has become a popular chant in New York over the last few years, as he's developed into a premier receiver for the Giants. I still can't believe he was overlooked by the Combine scouts. Perhaps that served as motivation for Cruz, who has already earned a Super Bowl ring and eclipsed 1,000 yards in two of his five seasons in the league.

3. Wes Welker

Wes Welker Denver Broncos
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

3. Wes Welker

Wes Welker Denver Broncos
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Wes Welker, like Edelman, is another speedy receiver who wasn't given the recognition out of college that he definitely deserved. He continues to display his talent and speed year after year as he approaches his 12th season in the league. And it also doesn't hurt that he's played with two of the most profound QBs in the league in Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.

2. James Harrison

James Harrison Pittsburgh Steelers
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2. James Harrison

James Harrison Pittsburgh Steelers
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Harrison has proven himself year after year at the linebacker position. At the ripe age of 36, he's still going strong, making a huge impact on the Steelers' stout defense. I don't think many people would have predicted this back in 2002 when he entered the league. He continues to prove that Combine selection committee wrong and may just have another year or two left in him.

1. Antonio Gates

Antonio Gates San Diego Chargers
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

1. Antonio Gates

Antonio Gates San Diego Chargers
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

This nine-time Pro bowler and five-time All-Pro has evolved into arguably the best tight end in the game. He has had a stellar career with the San Diego Chargers and has shown no signs of slowing down as he approaches his 13th year in the league. This is by far the biggest surprise to me out of all the current players not invited to the NFL Combine. They sure did overlook a star coming out of Kent State.

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