The NFL’s supplemental draft has generally become something of an afterthought these days, but it didn’t always used to be that way. Wide receiver Josh Gordon is the most high-profile pick of the last decade — the former Pro Bowler was drafted with a 2nd-round selection in the 2012 NFL Draft after being dismissed from Baylor with a failed drug test. But other prominent NFL names were also Supplemental Draft picks, including LB Ahmad Brooks (2006), WR Cris Carter & LB Brian Bosworth (1987) and QB Bernie Kosar (1985).
The Supplemental Draft may have been marginalized as of late, but it is very much capable of bringing legitimate NFL talent to the table. And amid the COVID-19 pandemic and with the college football season in question, some are feeling as though this year’s Supplemental Draft may be more busy than usual. Broncos general manager John Elway is one who is bracing for the possibility of a bigger draft pool, as he discussed in his post-draft press conference.
“We have talked about the possibility of more kids coming back out, especially with the uncertainty of the college season and where that sits,” said Elway.
“Each week and each day we find out more and more information of where everything’s going. I would think with the situation that there is a possibility that there’d be more kids in the supplemental draft especially kids that were thinking about coming out.”
Who should the Dolphins be eyeing about a potential early entry? One sensible target would be Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith, who spurned the NFL this past winter to return to Alabama for his senior season. But if there’s questions on whether or not there will be a senior season to be played, perhaps Smith will make the leap of faith. If he does, he’s the perfect compliment to the Dolphins’ current wide receiver room — and he’s also got plenty of chemistry with Miami’s new franchise quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. The duo hooked up for two separate 200 yard receiving efforts this past season (the second coming against LSU) and Smith caught 5 touchdown passes in a single game from Tagovailoa in the fall against Mississippi.
What would Smith cost? He’s a little more fluid that Miami’s projected outside starters in DeVante Parker and Preston Williams and would be the perfect target running those slant patterns on RPOs that Tagovailoa routinely saw his receivers make house calls on in Tuscaloosa. Smith likely comes with a 1st-round price tag — but the good news is even if the Dolphins elected to spend one on Smith, the team would still own a 1st-round pick in 2021 anyway thanks to the Laremy Tunsil deal.
Of all the possible talents to enter the 2020 Supplemental Draft, this is the one the Dolphins should keep a close eye on. It is a match made in heaven from a stylistic perspective, a chemistry perspective and a cost perspective.