NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero is reporting that the NFL has canceled its annual supplemental draft for 2020.
“Under the CBA, the NFL may elect to hold a supplemental draft each year,” Pelissero said. “The matter was discussed with the NFL Management Council Executive Committee, and in light of current conditions, the decision was made not to hold one.”
With uncertainty surrounding how sports will happen this fall, including college football, it’s believed there were concerns about an influx of players flooding the market, trying to make an early jump to the NFL.
In the past four years, only three players have been selected in supplemental drafts, defensive back Jalen Thompson was taken in the fifth round by the Arizona Cardinals last year, while 2018 saw cornerbacks Sam Beal and Adonis Alexander selected by the New York Giants (third round) and Washington (sixth round) respectively, and no players were selected in 2017 or 2016.
The Detroit Lions have only used a supplemental draft pick once in its history, back in 1982 when they selected cornerback Kevin Robinson out of North Carolina A&T in the ninth round. He never played in the NFL.
