The NFL has announced that seven college players have been declared eligible for the supplemental draft scheduled to take place July 9 according to Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com.
Not a single player has been taken in the supplemental draft the past two years but that record could change in 2015, as former Clemson offensive tackle Isaiah Battle is a tempting prospect for teams desperate to strengthen their offensive line. Battle claims he declared for the supplemental draft because of family issues as he has a child due this summer but it is well-known that he has had several off-the-field issues and was going to be dismissed from the team by Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney. Battle has ideal height for a left tackle at6'7" but weighs a slender 275 pounds. The Atlanta Falcons are rumored to be the team most interested in Battle, who could be worth as high as a third-round draft pick.
The other six eligible players are West Georgia defensive end Darrius Caldwell, West Georgia defensive tackle Dalvon Stuckey, Houston defensive end Eric Eiland, UConn tight end Sean McQuillan, Kansas defensive back Kevin Short and North Carolina Central wide receiver/kick returner Adrian Wilkins. None are expected to be drafted but could sign as undrafted free agents. Players can enter the supplemental draft if something changes with their college eligibility after the deadline to declare for the regular draft. Usually that "change" involves some kind of off-the-field or disciplinary issue.
The reluctance of NFL teams to take a chance in the supplemental draft is understandable considering that the last player taken was Josh Gordon in 2012-an immense talent at wide receiver but also a tremendous headache for the Cleveland Browns due to repeated failed drug tests. The Browns gave up a seccond-round pick for a player who may never play another down in the NFL.
Not a single player has been taken in the supplemental draft the past two years but that record could change in 2015, as former Clemson offensive tackle Isaiah Battle is a tempting prospect for teams desperate to strengthen their offensive line. Battle claims he declared for the supplemental draft because of family issues as he has a child due this summer but it is well-known that he has had several off-the-field issues and was going to be dismissed from the team by Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney. Battle has ideal height for a left tackle at6'7" but weighs a slender 275 pounds. The Atlanta Falcons are rumored to be the team most interested in Battle, who could be worth as high as a third-round draft pick.
The other six eligible players are West Georgia defensive end Darrius Caldwell, West Georgia defensive tackle Dalvon Stuckey, Houston defensive end Eric Eiland, UConn tight end Sean McQuillan, Kansas defensive back Kevin Short and North Carolina Central wide receiver/kick returner Adrian Wilkins. None are expected to be drafted but could sign as undrafted free agents. Players can enter the supplemental draft if something changes with their college eligibility after the deadline to declare for the regular draft. Usually that "change" involves some kind of off-the-field or disciplinary issue.
The reluctance of NFL teams to take a chance in the supplemental draft is understandable considering that the last player taken was Josh Gordon in 2012-an immense talent at wide receiver but also a tremendous headache for the Cleveland Browns due to repeated failed drug tests. The Browns gave up a seccond-round pick for a player who may never play another down in the NFL.