The NFL Supplemental Draft usually comes and goes without many people taking notice. This year however, not only one player but up to three could be selected in the draft, taking place on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. ET.
The 2018 NFL Supplemental Draft may see historic action
Tuesday’s Rise ‘n Grind takes a look at Supplemental Draft history ... and Jay Cutler as a reality TV star in the making.
Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images
Since its inception in 1977, 43 players have entered the NFL through the Supplemental Draft. Many of these players fizzle out quickly, but a few have had great NFL success. Guys like Hall of Famer Cris Carter and Pro Bowlers Bernie Kosar, Ahmad Brooks and Josh Gordon are some of the bigger names to enter the league via the Supplemental Draft.
Players in the Supplemental Draft have to bring something special to the field for a team to take a gamble on the often red-flagged guys who become ineligible for the upcoming NCAA season and thus eligible for the Supplemental Draft.
No player has been selected in the Supplemental Draft since 2015 when Isaiah Battle was taken by the Rams. Battle has already been on three teams and has compiled no NFL stats. So, if teams look to the recent past to decide whether or not to take part in this year’s draft, there’s a reason to skip out.
Prior to Battle, Josh Gordon was selected in the 2012 Supplemental Draft. The issues that landed him in the Supplemental Draft have proven to be a problem for him in the NFL, too: marijuana and suspensions from failed drug tests. Gordon has been a great player for Cleveland when he stays out of trouble, but that hasn’t been often enough. 2018 will be the final year of his rookie deal and hopefully he stays clean and on-the-field.
Other high-profile Supplemental Draft guys include Terrelle Pryor, Jared Gaither, Mike Wahle and Jamal Williams.
The last time more than two players were selected in the same year was 1989 when five guys were selected, including three first round picks. Bobby Humphrey turned out to be a Pro Bowler from that group. And, in 1987 when three guys were picked in the same year for the first time ever, Cris Carter, the one and only Supplemental Draft Hall of Famer was selected.
This year’s list eligible players includes a few impressive defensive backs, two of whom are expected to be selected (Western Michigan cornerback Sam Beal and Virginia Tech cornerback Adonis Alexander) and a third of whom could be picked without surprise (Mississippi State safety Brandon Bryant).
As for the rest of the class, Martayveus Carter, a running back out of Grand Valley State and Bright Ugwoegbu, a linebacker from Oregon State are also available, but are more likely to be signed as undrafted free agents following the conclusion of the draft.
Could a future Hall of Famer emerge from this year’s crop of players?
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