sporting news supplemental draft review.

[big nasty kcnut]

NFL Supplemental Draft 2018: Scouting reports, predictions for eligible players
Five players have entered the NFL Supplemental Draft for 2018. SN provides what you need to know about each prospect, including which teams might be interested in making a selection Wednesday.
Brandon-Bryant-070918-Getty-FTR.jpg
The NFL Supplemental Draft in 2018 features its deepest crop of players in over a decade. Two prospects are expected to be selected (likely in the first few rounds), and three other eligible players had 2019 NFL Draft aspirations prior to their ineligibility for the 2018 college football season.

The Supplemental Draft takes place July 11th. Sam Beal of Western Michigan and Adonis Alexander of Virginia Tech, both high-upside cornerbacks, are expected to be claimed within the first four rounds of the Supplemental Draft, likely making them the highest players selected since the Browns took Josh Gordon in 2012 with a second-round pick.


Below is a list of this year's eligible Supplemental Draft prospects, complete with a brief scouting report, athletic testing results, character and background information, which teams have interest in them and which teams might end up signing them this season.

MORE SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFT:
How it works, selection info, eligibility rules

NFL Supplemental Draft 2018: Players, scouting reports, predictions
1. Sam Beal, CB, Western Michigan


— Scouting report: A two-year starter at Western Michigan, Beal possess the ideal body type for a perimeter corner in today’s NFL. He measures over 6-0 and showcases an ability to play in man, press and multiple zone coverages. He does not have great bulk; he weighed in at 190 pounds at his Pro Day after dropping from 190 pounds for better testing. He also does not engage with great physicality in coverage, and he needs to continue to build his upper-half strength. Beal, though, is a smooth athlete who turns and runs naturally, and he has the tools to be a long-term starter. At his Pro Day, he recorded a 4.47 40-yard dash, a 37-inch vertical and a 10’6 broad jump, all of which would have put him in the upper echelon of cornerbacks at the 2018 NFL Combine.

— What really matters: Beal was forced to leave Western Michigan due to academic ineligibility. He had considered entering the 2018 NFL Draft and garnered interest. He does not have major character red flags other than basic maturity and motivational question marks, both of which could be extinguished upon entering the NFL. Beal was graded as a preseason third-round pick by Optimum Scouting, and he garnered similar grades from NFL scouting services and teams. He had every NFL team, including multiple decision-makers, attend his Pro Day. The Chiefs have interest in both Beal and Alexander, and they have two second-round picks and a need at cornerback. Kansas City might take Beal in the second round or hope Alexander falls to the fourth.

— Teams with potential interest: Chiefs, Cardinals, Browns, Colts, Seahawks, Bengals

— Prediction: Third round, Browns

2. Adonis Alexander, CB, Virginia Tech

— Scouting report: A touted high school recruit with both safety and cornerback potential, Alexander started his career on special teams and at safety for the Hokies, garnering Freshman All-American accolades. He played cornerback along with Greg Stroman and Brandon Facyson, two current NFL players. Alexander plays with outstanding body control throughout his coverage, staying close to his receiver and swallowing up cushion as receivers work vertically. While his reaction and timing against more capable receivers needs improvement, he is able to stay physical and bend in perimeter coverage. While he does not have elite speed, Alexander able to use subtle hand fighting to slow opponents and stay in control. He needs to continue to improve his hand technique off the line. He allows too many short-yardage receptions and needs to win initially to prevent quick slants and potential double moves from working on him in the NFL. He plays with outstanding ball skills and strength as a tackler.

— What really matters: Alexander had a marijuana-related incident as a freshman and again was suspended in the early part of 2018. Additionally, he did not take academics seriously during his early time at Virginia Tech, leading to persistent academic issues over his college career. NFL teams are equally concerned with his need of on-field development as they are with his off-field issues, though his upside is undeniable. Alexander was considered one of the top cornerback prospects for the 2019 NFL Draft by Optimum Scouting. For some teams, his academic and off-field issues have made him a player on whom they'll pass.

— Teams with potential interest: Chiefs, Redskins, Colts, Saints, and Jets

— Prediction: Fourth round, Redskins

MORE: SN's Q&A with Adonis Alexander

3. Brandon Bryant, S, Mississippi State

— Scouting report: Bryant started at safety during his redshirt freshman season at Mississippi State and was a key member of the defense throughout his college career. An aggressive tackler who is best in short-area and in zone coverage, Bryant is limited vertically in coverage and does not play with great hip control after leaving his pedal. He is a consistent tackler who likely will have a role — or at least an opportunity for a role — on special teams in the NFL. At his Pro Day, Bryant posted a 4.45 40-yard dash, a 34-inch vertical and a 10’3 broad jump at 5-11, 207 pounds. He previously has been clocked in the 4.3s in the 40 and was known in the football program as one of if not the best athlete on the team.

— What really matters: Bryant was ruled academically ineligible for 2018, and having already used his redshirt, he had no other alternative but to enter the Supplemental Draft. He was arrested and charged with a DUI in January 2017. He's a fantastic athlete, as shown by his Pro Day testing, and with added time for preparation might have been even more impressive. His mental make-up and attitude remain concerns for NFL teams, perhaps more so than any other player in the Supplemental Draft, but his athleticism is hard to deny.

— Teams with potential interest: Rams, Falcons, Steelers, Jaguars, and Colts

— Prediction: Seventh round, Rams

4. Martayveus Carter, RB, Grand Valley State

— Scouting report: The 2016 Division II leading rusher with almost 2,000 yards, Carter was limited by injuries in his junior season and still managed almost 900 rushing yards. He lacks great power or top-end speed, relying on short-area quickness. He does not do a great job of creating opportunities behind bad blocking, at least not at an NFL level. He had only 23 receptions in college and isn't expected to contribute much as a receiver in the NFL. At just under 6-0, 200 pounds, Carter did not have a Pro Day before the Supplemental Draft.

— What really matters: Without a Pro Day for Carter, NFL teams don’t have a great reference point for his timed speed, which is important for small-school players. He’s from a rough neighborhood in East Chicago and lost Division I offers after he was involved in a fight in school during his senior season that required him to finish his high school education with online classes. He also had poor SAT scores that limited his Division I opportunities. He lives with his grandparents, as his father is not involved in his life, and his mother is paralyzed from the shoulder down on one side of her body. He did not attend spring practices before his ineligibility was announced and has received mixed reviews from those informed about the program.

— Teams with potential interest: Vikings, Bears, Titans, Cardinals, Steelers

— Prediction: Undrafted, signs with Vikings

5. Bright Ugwoegbu, LB, Oregon State

— Scouting report: A three-year starter for Oregon State, Ugwoebu played a safety/pass-rusher hybrid position, working against receivers and tight ends as well as attacking the edge. He is a composed athlete who works hard to adjust his body to an ideal tackling position and to evade would-be blockers. He does not have developed pass-rush or coverage skills, and he struggles in wide movements. He did not test well at his Pro Day, recording a 4.95 40-yard dash and a 7.38 three-cone drill despite measuring only 6-1, 205 pounds.

— What really matters: Ugwoegbu will turn 23 in late September, meaning he would be older than most rookies yet still raw as a defender. He was born in London but grew up in Nigeria. His father was a political diplomat before he was assassinated when Ugwoegbu was a senior in high school. Ogwoegbu was suspended indefinitely by Oregon State during the spring due to undisclosed reasons.

— Teams with potential interest: Seahawks, 49ers, Patriots, Bears

— Prediction: Undrafted, signs with Seahawks

[OKchiefs]

Well, no help coming for the secondary. We better have an improved pass rush. Corner or OLB will likely be our top pick next year.

[O.city]

I doubt a supplemental pick player is helping much this year anyway.

[RealSNR]

I'd probably stand pat in the 5th and let somebody else get Alexander.

Chiefs can get a better player than him in the 5th of next year's draft.

[O.city]

Yeah, i'd say no go now.

There will be some guys cut late that can help the Chiefs secondary (if they think they need help).

[pugsnotdrugs19]

No action in the 5th. I’d say he goes now or never in the 6th.

[MahiMike]

Originally Posted by TRR

These are players that didn’t place their names in the traditional NFL Draft because they were thought to be headed back to college for another year. Due to unforeseen circumstances (I.E. ruled academically ineligible, etc) they now have a chance to be drafted in the supplemental draft.

Make sense?

Ahhh sooooo. Thanks

[RealSNR]

Sure. Go ahead and spend a 6th on him. I'd be down.

[jaa1025]

Alexander gone. Disappointing. Veach must like our no name depth a lot better than the rest of us.

[O.city]

Chiefs pass on the two cornerbacks in the supplemental draft and it doesn't surprise me. The club is very high on 6th-rounder Tremon Smith and UDFA Arrion Springs. They think both are diamonds in the rough. Adding a third rookie corner poses a real developmental challenge.

— Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) July 11, 2018

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by jaa1025

Alexander gone. Disappointing. Veach must like our no name depth a lot better than the rest of us.

Alexander wasn't going to do shit for our no name depth this year, other than add another no name to it.

He's a developmental prospect. If you were looking for an easy way to add a 2018 contributor, Alexander was not the player for you.

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Matt Derrick says that the Chiefs brass is extremely high on Tremon Smith and Arrion Springs. Said they view them as diamonds in the rough.

If that’s true, no need to pick one today in the Supp. Draft.

EDIT: Didn’t see O’s post, sorry.

[Beef Supreme]

Chiefs brass is extremely high on bath salts. Said they view them as diamonds in the rough.

[jaa1025]

Originally Posted by RealSNR

Alexander wasn't going to do shit for our no name depth this year, other than add another no name to it.

He's a developmental prospect. If you were looking for an easy way to add a 2018 contributor, Alexander was not the player for you.

Well, I was more disappointed on missing out on Beal to be honest. I thought Alexander would fit the bump and run scheme nicely and has good hands. "Developmental" isn't necessarily a term used on CB's because they generally either can play or can't play in the NFL and that's noticed pretty early. Both could have contributed right away.

[MMXcalibur]

Originally Posted by O.city

Chiefs pass on the two cornerbacks in the supplemental draft and it doesn't surprise me. The club is very high on 6th-rounder Tremon Smith and UDFA Arrion Springs. They think both are diamonds in the rough. Adding a third rookie corner poses a real developmental challenge.

— Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) July 11, 2018

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm excited to see our rookie CBs get picked on again and again and again to the point of where their confidence to play the position is beyond repair.

[OKchiefs]

Well, I guess we'll just have to wait and see. I'm pretty skeptical on the secondary, but Veach and co. have earned some trust IMO. I still don't like the safety position beyond Berry. We'll see how Watts does, but Sorensen is trash. We have lots of young options at corner, hopefully some develop. I still see this as a growth and development year, similar to the 2017 Rams. Next year is when we can't accept huge holes in the roster. I've said before, the 2018 draft looks to be a bunch of role players with MAYBE a diamond in the rough if some develop beyond their draft stock. That's fine, we didn't have many high picks. That can't happen next year. The 2019 draft needs to have 1-2 star players at positions like CB, OLB, etc. Not every draft will be a glamorous one, but next year should be.