NFL decides against supplemental draft for 2020

The NFL has decided to cancel the annual supplemental draft for this season.

The National Football League has decided against holding its annual supplemental draft for the 2020 season.

According to NFL reporter Tom Pelissero, the league held discussions with the NFL Management Council Executive Committee and determined that the draft would not be held. According to Pelissero, the collective bargaining agreement is an elective event instead of a mandatory annual occurrence, so it makes sense for the league to cancel any such plans at this point.

Unfortunately for players who were hoping to use the supplemental draft as a channel to enter the NFL, those doors are now closed. The league also ruled that those players are not free agents able to sign with any team—as they would be if they went “undrafted” via a typical supplemental draft. Instead those prospects will be forced to wait until the 2021 NFL Draft to enter along with a regular class of first-year players.

While there are other reasons why a prospect might be eligible for the supplemental draft, the list of those entering the draft are players who are ruled academically ineligible for the upcoming college football season. At that point, they will forgo the year and attempt to enter the league earlier than expected. Most players come with some sort of character concern or raw skill set which will need development in order to contribute at all at the pro level.

Last season, only one player was taken in the draft: safety Jalen Thompson who was a fifth round selection by the Arizona Cardinals.

In the history of the supplemental draft, the Chiefs have only been awarded one pick when, in ’92, they selected defensive lineman Darren Mickell. He played four seasons with the Chiefs and eight total seasons in the NFL. In his four seasons with K.C., he had 77 tackles, 13.5 sacks and 8 forced fumbles.