Supplemental Draft: Four Players Eligible

Every year the NFL’s Supplemental Draft comes and goes as only a blurp on the offseason radar. Since 1977 the NFL has held the event to accompidate a handful of players who were not eligible for the regular draft for various reasons.  However after some controversy in the past the current NFL Supplemental draft has been in place since 1990. Some notable players to come to the NFL this way are; Bernie Kosar, Brian Bosworth, Chris Carter, Rob More, Jamal Williams, Ahmad Brooks, Josh Gordon.

Here is a look at the prospects availbe in today’s Supplemental Draft.

Oct 26, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs running back Traylon Shead (34) rushes for a touchdown against Temple Owls during the first half of a college football game at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports

RB Traylon Shead, SMU, Texas (6-2, 230):  Another highly sought after prep recruit Shead never saw his college career take off after attending three different schools.  Last season he managed 197 yards with 3 touchdowns and battle several injuries. Had he stayed in school he might have won the starting job and been a prospect to watch for the 2015 NFL Draft. Instead he decided to declare for the supplemental draft and see if a team will bite on his potential as a bruising back with linebacker size and a powerful running style. 9 teams attended his work out so it looks like there is some interest from around the league.
DT LaKendrick Ross, Virginia-Lynchburg (6-5, 365): It is almost impossible to find any game tape on the monster of a human being because he only played in 6 games at Virginia-Lynchburg.  One report had Ross lifting 225 46 times, which would have clearly been the most by any draft prospect this year.  Unable to stay eligible Ross missed out on a chance to play D-1 and is an obviously very raw prospect. Labeled the Blindside 2 this young man has had a rough go to this point in his life.  I’m pulling for him and hope someone takes a chance.

WR Chase Clayton, New Mexico (6-2, 204): The Lobos receiver could stay eligible for his junior year and missed all of 2013.  As a sophomore though he showed that he has some special qualities, averaging over 30 yards on kick returns, scoring two touchdowns.  He’ll get a look as a camp body but reportedly won’t be drafted.

LB Darius Lipford, North Carolina (6-3, 245): Unlike some of the other prospects Lipford’s reason for being in the Supplemental draft are different.  A highly sought after prep recruit Lipford was on his way to a solid career when he tore his ACL in 2012. He came back to play last year but wasn’t the force many expected.  A quick twitch athlete Lipford would be a great practice squad stash to let develop for a year and see if NFL coaches can give rebirth to his nickname “Freak”.