The NFL will not have a supplemental draft this year.
“Given the current conditions due to COVID-19, and after discussions with the NFL Management Council Executive Committee, the decision was made not to hold one in 2020,” according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Players who were eligible for the supplemental draft will not become NFL free agents. Instead, they will become eligible to enter the 2021 NFL Draft.
Here’s a supplemental draft explainer, from NFL.com’s Kevin Patra:
The NFL’s supplemental draft allows teams to bid on players who, for various reasons, had their college eligibility affected and did not enter the regular spring draft. Teams bid the following year’s draft picks on eligible players. The club submitting the highest pick is granted that player, forfeiting the corresponding pick in the coming year’s spring draft.
The Broncos haven’t selected a player in the supplemental draft since 1989 when they landed Alabama running back Bobby Humphrey in the first round. He went on to earn a Pro Bowl selection in 1990 and was the first player in franchise history to rush for 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons (1989-1990).
Notable players selected in recent supplemental drafts include wide receiver Josh Gordon (2012) and quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2011).
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