Five players set for NFL supplemental draft
Western Michigan corner considered top prospect
So you think football season is over, at least until training camps open this month?
OK, you’re right.
But if you want really obscure, byzantine NFL news, we give you: The 2018 NFL supplemental draft.
If you’ve never heard of it, there’s a reason. Only two players — though one was Browns receiver Josh Gordon — since 2011 have been selected in the supplemental draft. It is held for players whose college status changes after the April draft is held. Former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar (1985) and Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter (1987) were taken in the supplemental draft.
Four players this year have applied because of academic issues: Virginia Tech cornerback Adonis Alexander, Western Michigan cornerback Sam Beal, Mississippi State safety Brandon Bryant and Grand Valley State running back Martayveus Carter. The draft will be held Wednesday. Oregon State linebacker Bright Ugwoegbu, who was suspended indefinitely this spring, has also entered.
NFL teams do not have to participate in the supplemental draft, but here’s how it works.
Teams are broken up into three groups — those with six or fewer wins, the rest of the non-playoff teams, and the 12 playoff teams. Each group draws for priority with a weighted system (similar to the NBA draft lottery). Teams then submit a round they would take a given player. If more than one team submits the same round, the player goes to the one with the established priority. Any team taking a player loses its corresponding pick in the 2019 draft. If no one submits a bid on the player, he becomes a free agent.
The following is a breakdown of this year’s five eligible players.
Adonis Alexander
A 6-3, 207-pound cornerback known for his play in zone coverage. He was being looked at as a future first- or secondround pick after making 55 tackles and four interceptions as a freshman at Virginia Tech. But he had just 27 tackles and one interception in eight games as a junior, was caught using marijuana in
2016 and suspended two more games in
2017 for violating team rules. Alexander is projected to be selected, but not before the fifth round.
Sam Beal
He was a lightly recruited receiver when he arrived at Western Michigan but is considered the best prospect available after making two interceptions and breaking up 10 passes in 10 games last season. At 6-1 and 185 pounds, he is known for his man coverage. Beal, who had all 32 teams at his workout, could warrant as high as a third-round pick.
Brandon Bryant
Another physical player (6 feet, 215), he ran a 4.24-second 40-yard dash and dead-lifted 600 pounds. But he had his best season as a redshirt freshman with
11⁄ sacks and three interceptions, peter
2 ing out to 32 tackles and one pick in 11 games last season with Mississippi State. He might be a better athlete than a football player. Bryant is considered the least likely player to get selected. Of the 14 teams that attended Bryant’s workout on June 25, he said the Colts and Ravens were his favorites, according to NFL.com.
“Those teams really stuck out to me the most. I had a great conversation with those guys,” Bryant said. “But wherever I get drafted or if it’s as a free agent, I just need an opportunity and I’ll make the most of it.”
Martayveus Carter
Carter (5-11, 200) is from East Chicago, Indiana, and became a record-setting running back at Division II Grand Valley State. He rushed for a school record with 1,908 yards and 20 touchdowns as a sophomore, earning multiple AllAmerican honors. Injuries limited him to 931 yards last season, and he entered the supplemental draft when he was ruled ineligible.
Bright Ugwoegbu
He was added to the draft June 25 after being suspended indefinitely by Oregon State. Ugwoegbu has started 20 games at outside linebacker in his career, recording 55 tackles and one sack last season. As a sophomore, he had 54 tackles and 51⁄ sacks. He has been pro
2 jected as a possible sixth- or seventhround pick.