There are only four players eligible for today’s 2010 NFL supplemental draft, and while one prospect stands out above the rest and another is worthy of a later-round pick, teams must decide if making a selection this July is worth giving up another similar pick next April. A quick ranking of the quartet and their projected fates:
Ineligible at Illinois, Josh Price-Brent will take his first step into the NFL.
1. Josh Price-Brent, DT, Illinois. Nose tackle expected to be third- or fourth-round pick.
2. Harvey Unga, RB, BYU. Fullback hybrid should be a fifth- or sixth-round pick.
3. Quentin Castille, RB, Northwestern (La.) State. Didn’t produce enough in college to get more than free-agent consideration.
4. Vanness Emokpae, WR, Truman State (Mo.). With a thick body for wide receiver, may have trouble sticking with any team.
None of these players needs be taken, but teams have found starters in previous supplemental drafts.
The Trenches: Supplemental draft history
One example: Baltimore Ravens tackle Jared Gaither, who was selected in the fifth round in 2007. He has made 28 starts in three years despite injuries last season. Another? Bernie Kosar, selected by the Cleveland Browns in 1985. Kosar finished his degree early and entered the supplemental draft rather than spend another season with Miami (Fla.).
One player was selected in the 2009 supplemental draft — Kentucky defensive end Jeremy Jarmon, a third-round pick by the Washington Redskins.
Kosar aside, players in the supplemental draft generally have lost their final year of college eligibility. Price-Brent was ruled academically ineligible; Unga was dismissed from school for honor code violations.
When the Redskins selected Jarmon last July, they surrendered a third-round pick in 2010’s April draft.
According to NFL.com’s Gil Brandt, "The supplemental draft began in 1977 as a way to accommodate players who weren’t eligible for the upcoming college football season. That year, Notre Dame RB Al Hunter (career stats) flunked out of school after the NFL draft but before his senior season in college. Because Hunter wouldn’t have been eligible to transfer, the supplemental draft was created."
Teams have paid interest in this year’s players. Reports say as many as 20 teams had scouts at Unga’s pro day workout. The Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and St. Louis Rams are believed interested in Unga.
— Contributing: Ray Slover
This story appears in July 15’s edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only digital sports daily, sign up today.
Former NFL scout Russ Lande evaluates college players for Sporting News’ Pro Football War Room and GM Jr. Scouting LLC.