The 2019 NFL supplemental draft is here and for the second consecutive year this draft is worth keeping an eye on for Chiefs fans.
It hasn’t always been that way. Last year, Sam Beal and Adonis Alexander were both selected. In the past, some of the NFL’s finest entered the league through the NFL supplemental draft. Players like Hall of Fame receiver Cris Carter, Bernie Kosar, Steve Walsh, Ahmad Brooks, Josh Gordon and Terrelle Pryor all were once choices in the NFL’s supplemental draft.
This season a total of five prospects have entered the supplemental draft.
Chiefs supplemental draft history
The Chiefs have only made one selection in the supplemental draft, which occurred in 1992. Carl Peterson used a second-round pick to take Florida Gators defensive end Darren Mickell that season. Mickell only played with the Chiefs for four seasons. He was ultimately traded away because his production didn’t match that of a second-round pick.
Former Chiefs offensive lineman Isaiah Battle was also selected in the supplemental draft by the Rams in 2015. Battle spent a brief stint with the Chiefs before the start of the 2017 season and was subsequently traded to the Seahawks for a conditional draft pick.
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What is the NFL supplemental draft?
The NFL supplemental draft is exactly how it sounds. It serves as a supplement to the NFL draft that takes place in April.
The supplemental draft allows for players who have been declared ineligible to play college football during the upcoming academic year an opportunity to play in the NFL without missing a season. Sometimes this can be academic ineligibility, other times it could be a player waiting to hear if they were granted a medical redshirt or maybe even a suspension that won’t allow them to finish their college careers. There’s a number of reasons players enter, and just because a player joins the supplemental draft pool, it doesn’t always mean they’re a bad egg.
The supplemental draft uses a different format than the regular NFL draft. Instead of having draft picks, teams place bids on players. Each bid has a specific round value attached to it. If a bid is granted that team will forfeit a pick in that draft round during the following NFL Draft.
As for the draft order, teams are separated into three categories:
- Teams with 6 or fewer wins
- Non-playoff teams
- Playoff teams
Each group has a lottery to determine pick order. The teams that performed the worst in the prior season obviously have the greatest chance at obtaining the higher ranked picks within their group. Bids are only granted if a team has the highest priority pick.
The Chiefs and Chargers will be in the same group this year. Say the Chargers have the highest priority and place a fourth-round bid on a player the Chiefs also place a fourth-round bid on. The Chargers would be awarded the player based on priority. If the Chiefs put a third-round bid on a player, when the Chargers only placed a fourth-round bid, the Chiefs would be awarded the player.
Many times players go undrafted in the supplemental draft and become free agents. This year at least two of the five eligible players are expected to be drafted.
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When is the NFL supplemental draft and who is in it?
When: July 11 at 12:00 p.m. CT
The supplemetnal draft isn’t a spectacle and it’s not televised. Keep an eye on our Twitter and Facebook for updates on the supplemental draft.
Who is in it?
| Player | Position | School | Chiefs Wire Grade |
| Jalen Thompson | DB | Washington State | 4th round |
| Marcus Simms | WR | West Virginia | 6th round |
| Shyheim Cullen | LB | Syracuse | 7th round |
| Bryant Perry | CB | St. Francis | UDFA |
| Devonaire Clarington | TE | Northland | UDFA |
Jalen Thompson:
Thompson is a ball-hawking defensive back that could have had an opportunity to become a top-100 draft pick with a strong senior season. His pro day style workout didn’t blow anyone away, with some very average timed speeds. He’s still expected to be drafted.
Marcus Simms:
Simms is a speedy receiver and return specialist. He didn’t have strong production during his time at West Virginia, but he did have a good workout ahead of the supplemental draft. There were reports that he wasn’t happy with his role on WVU last season. There are questions about his character and maturity that he needs to answer. If another player is drafted, it’ll be Simms.
Shyheim Cullen:
Cullen is a core special teams player that could potentially develop into a starting linebacker. Look for him to get a chance to tryout for a team during training camp.
Bryant Perry:
Perry didn’t produce a lot at the Division II level, which puts his NFL future in doubt before it’s began.
Devonaire Clarington:
Clarington has bounced around community colleges and was unable to become academically eligible to play at University of Texas. He has the size to intrigue teams at 6-foot-7 and 230 pounds, which will probably earn him a role on a team during training camp.
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Have the Chiefs shown interest in taking a player in this supplemental draft?
The Chiefs have shown some interest in one of the supplemental draft prospects so far. They sent scouts to attend the workout of former West Virginia receiver Marcus Simms, and they spent time interviewing Simms afterwards. During the workout, Simms posted numbers very similar to those of Chiefs rookie wideout Mecole Hardman.
There are still questions about whether Tyreek Hill will be suspended early in the season. The Chiefs are expecting big things from Sammy Watkins, but don’t forget that injury took him out for six games last season. While the Chiefs currently have plenty of competition at the receiver position, adding another dynamic skill set to the mix couldn’t hurt. Especially if they end up without Hill or Watkins for any stretch of time.
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