The NFL’s Supplemental Draft: A Thing of the Past?
The NFL has made it official: there will be no supplemental draft this year. This news comes as no surprise, given that the league has opted out of holding the supplemental draft in four out of the last five years. But what does this mean for the players who were hoping to get a second chance at being drafted?
The supplemental draft, for those who may not know, is a special draft held by the NFL for players who were not eligible for the regular draft. This can include players who were academically ineligible, had disciplinary issues, or simply didn’t declare for the draft in time. The draft is held in July, and teams can select players in a seven-round process. However, if a team does select a player, they will have to forfeit their corresponding pick in the following year’s draft.
NFL Draft
In recent years, the supplemental draft has been a rare occurrence. In fact, the last time the NFL held a supplemental draft was in 2020, when the Arizona Cardinals selected Jalen Thompson in the fifth round. Before that, the supplemental draft was last held in 2019, when the Cardinals again made a selection.
So, what’s behind the NFL’s decision to scrap the supplemental draft? One reason could be that the league is trying to streamline its draft process. With the regular draft already being a lengthy and complex process, adding an extra draft in the summer may be seen as unnecessary. Additionally, the supplemental draft has historically been a low-key affair, with few players being selected and even fewer making an impact in the league.
Jalen Thompson
But what about the players who were hoping to get drafted? While the supplemental draft may not be a guaranteed path to success, it has produced some notable players over the years. Bernie Kosar, Cris Carter, and Terrelle Pryor are just a few examples of players who entered the league through the supplemental draft. And who can forget Josh Gordon, who was selected by the Cleveland Browns in 2012?
Josh Gordon
While the NFL’s decision to scrap the supplemental draft may be disappointing for some, it’s worth noting that the league is always looking for ways to improve its processes. Perhaps this move will pave the way for a more efficient and effective draft process in the future. Only time will tell.
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