The NFL's supplemental draft, a lesser-known event in the football calendar, will once again not take place in 2024. This marks the fourth consecutive year of its dormancy, a trend that began in 2020. The last instance of the supplemental draft occurred in 2019, where the Arizona Cardinals selected safety Jalen Thompson in the fifth round. This decision cost them their corresponding pick in the 2020 regular draft, as per the rules of the supplemental draft.
A Glance Back
Established in 1977, the supplemental draft was designed to give a second chance to players who, for various reasons, did not enter the regular NFL draft. In its initial years, it provided an important pathway for eligible players to join the NFL. Originally, it accommodated players who were unable to declare for the regular draft due to timing or eligibility issues. However, in 1993, the scope expanded to include players who never attended college, allowing a broader array of talent to be considered by NFL teams.
The supplemental draft operates differently from its more well-known counterpart. Spanning seven rounds, teams are categorized based on their performance from the previous season, with lower-performing teams typically getting the first opportunities to select. The unique aspect of this draft is the forfeiture rule: if a team decides to pick a player in the supplemental draft, it automatically loses its corresponding round pick in the following year's regular draft. This creates a calculated risk scenario, where teams must weigh immediate needs against future draft capital.
A Changing Landscape
The decision to cancel the supplemental draft in 2024 maintains a trend that reflects broader changes within the league and the collegiate landscape. Since 2019, the event has seen dwindling participation and interest. Last year, although two players were eligible, neither was drafted. This could signal a shift in how teams perceive the value of the supplemental draft or perhaps the adequacy of the regular draft in meeting team needs.
The story of Jalen Thompson, the last player selected in the supplemental draft, remains a noteworthy one. Thompson's journey from a fifth-round supplemental pick to a key player on the Cardinals' defense highlights the potential impact these overlooked players can have when given the opportunity. However, his case appears to be more of an exception than the rule in recent years.
What It Means for the Future
As the NFL continues to evolve, the place of the supplemental draft in the broader draft ecosystem is being questioned. While historically significant, its continued dormancy suggests that the league and its teams may be comfortable phasing it out. The expansion of eligibility and increasing sophistication of scouting and player evaluation processes for the regular draft may have lessened the need for a separate supplemental selection process.
It remains to be seen if the supplemental draft will make a return in the future or if this trend of inactivity will solidify its role as a relic of a past era in NFL history. For now, teams and fans alike can focus on the more traditional avenues of player acquisition, secure in the knowledge that the NFL's methods for talent discovery and recruitment continue to adapt to the changing landscape of professional football.