As we all know, the NFL draft is over and what a glorious time it was! It was the most-watched NFL draft in history and why not? It is because of the NFL that we have had sports to discuss since the pandemic began. But now that it is over, things will quiet down until training camp opens, whenever that is, right? Wrong! There could be a development that would have major implications for both college and pro football players and teams. This is the NFL supplemental draft preview.
What implications could there possibly be? Thanks for asking. Pro football isn’t finished with drafting college players. There is something called the supplemental draft that doesn’t get a lot of publicity most of the time. That could change in a hurry as there could be more interest in this year’s supplemental draft than in its entire history. Let’s take a look at what this draft is and why it looms as important as it does this year.
NFL Supplemental Draft History
The supplemental draft was created by the National Football League in 1977. It was a means for eligible college players who were not involved in the regular draft for whatever reason to enter the league. The first player to use the supplemental draft was running back Al Hunter, who was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round. It has been used 45 times since, the last being Jalen Thompson by the Arizona Cardinals last summer. The draft is held every year in July.
The draft works like this. Teams are separated into three groups based on their record from the previous season. Franchises with six wins or fewer are one group. Teams that didn’t make the playoffs that had six or more wins are in another. The last group has the playoff teams. A lottery takes place within each group to determine the order of the draft, with teams with worse records having a better chance or a higher selection.
From there, teams submit a blind bid on a player, and the round they wish to select him. The franchise that turns in the highest bid is awarded the player and they forfeit that round’s selection in the next NFL draft. If two teams submit the same round for the same player, the lottery determines who has the winning bid.
Why the Supplemental Draft is so Important
Now that is out of the way, this is why this year’s supplemental draft is so important. It is unknown right now when, or even if, there will be a college football season because of the coronavirus. If anyone out there is a better (and who isn’t), bet that there will be a season. Too much money is involved not to have one, which is the biggest reason. But, it could be a delayed season. If worse comes to worst and the season goes bye-bye, what is a college football player to do? He could petition the NFL for inclusion in the supplemental draft. Those petitions are reviewed on a case by case basis.
The 2021 Supplemental Draft Poster Boy
If there is a rash of players asking to be included because of the virus, several college teams could see their seasons pushed into the ditch before the first game. Indeed, a great example of this is Clemson star running back Travis Etienne, who surprisingly passed the April draft in an attempt to return the national championship to the Tigers. To subtract his 1,614 rushing yards and 19 TDs and 432 yards receiving and an additional four TDs would, in fact, submarine their season.
And what NFL team wouldn’t love to have him on their roster? It is easy to see off this one player why an NFL supplemental draft preview is off the charts important.
If you enjoyed this NFL supplemental draft preview, please comment and let us know. Because the implications to both the college and pro football seasons can’t be accurately predicted at the moment, it certainly needs to be paid attention to. And you can be sure that Belly Up Sports will be on this story as it develops.
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