It’s draft day! Kind of…

Thomas RitchieDraftLeave a Comment

Today is the day of the 2018 NFL Supplemental Draft, where teams have the chance to use future draft picks on players who initially didn’t enter the NFL Draft. The draft takes place at 6pm BST later today, and soon afterwards we will find out where the available players have gone.

How does it work?

Each team interested will submit “bids” consisting of a future draft pick for each player they wish to draft, which they will email in. If a bid is successful the team will lose that draft pick from the 2019 NFL Draft. The teams are split into three groups, with an NBA-like lottery system to determine the draft order within the group. Whoever submits the higher bid will win the rights to the player. The last player drafted in the Supplemental Draft was Isaiah Battle in 2015, and quite often the players go on to sign as undrafted free agents. As bids are submitted by email, the draft is not televised.

Who is available for selection?

There are five players eligible to be drafted, including two college stars in Adonis Alexander and Sam Beal, both defensive backs, who were deemed academically ineligible for 2018. Alexander, from Virginia Tech, recorded seven interceptions in his three years at college, and is known as a big-hitting player who could be moved to safety, recording 125 tackles at Virginia. Beal began as a wide receiver at Western Michigan but, after switching to the other side of the ball, was named Second Team All-Mid-American Conference.

The other players available are Mississippi State defensive back Brandon Bryant, Grand Valley State running back Martayveus Carter, and Oregon State linebacker Bright Ugwoegbu. Bryant recorded 157 tackles and 5 interceptions in three years in Mississippi, whilst Carter had 1,908 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2016. Texas-born Ugwoegbu recorded 1.5 sacks last season, although achieved 5.5 the previous season.

Will the Broncos make any moves?

With the two stars being at a position where the Broncos have depth, it appears unlikely the Broncos will make any high bids. Signing Tramaine Brock and drafting Isaac Yiadom would suggest the Broncos are now happy with their defensive back room. Drafting a pair of running backs in Royce Freeman and David Williams, and acquiring UDFA Phillip Lindsay mean a running back room full of healthy competition. The Broncos also added at the linebacker position in Josey Jewell, so it would be a surprise if the Broncos did make any selections in the Supplemental Draft.

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