faba Posted July 12, 2005 Share Posted July 12, 2005 2005 Supplemental Draft Preview -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scott Wright President, NFL Draft Countdown More often than not the NFL's Supplemental Draft comes and goes without most giving it a second thought. However once every few years there is a player or players who make teams take notice and 2005 appears to be one of those rare occurrences. The Supplemental Draft is held before each season for players who want to enter the NFL but, one reason or another, were not a part of the traditional draft. All 32 teams are involved in the three-step, weighted process. Teams with six wins or less in 2004 participate in the first lottery for the top six picks, followed by a second group of non-playoff teams and finally a third group of last season's 12 playoff teams. The process works by each team submitting the name of the player(s) they want as well as the round they would like to choose them in, with the highest "bid" being awarded the player. In the case of two teams submitting a request for the same player in identical rounds the team with the higher pick wins out. If a team uses a pick in the Supplemental Draft they then forfeit their choice in the corresponding round of the next years NFL Draft. This year the draft will take place on July 14th. A couple of recent success stories from this process are Carolina Panthers OG Mike Wahle and San Diego Chargers DT Jamal Williams, although there are many more as well. A more recent case was that of RB Tony Hollings, who the Houston Texans invested a 2nd round pick on. This year there is a ton of interest in Southern Cal DT Manuel Wright and it would not be a surprise to see a team use a 2nd or 3rd round pick on the former Trojan. Nick Saban and the Miami Dolphins appear to be the most interested party but Wright has also visited Philadelphia, Jacksonville and Cincinnati. The other player who is generating the most buzz is former Clemson WR Roscoe Crosby, who has a shot at being selected in the late rounds. Carolina, Chicago, Kansas City, Miami, New Orleans and the New York Giants are supposedly showing the most interest in the wideout. Here is a look at the players available for the 2005 Supplemental Draft as well as complete scouting reports on Wright and Crosby: THE PROSPECTS Defensive Tackle | Junior | Southern Cal Manuel Wright Height: 6-5 | Weight: 329 | 40-Time: 4.97 Official Bio Strengths: Has great size and the frame to get even bigger...Is very athletic for a guy his dimensions...Has the measurables scouts dream about...Quick and has the type of rare burst you look for in an impact interior lineman...Can penetrate and make plays in the backfield...Was productive in his limited opportunities...Hasn't even begun to reach his full potential and has a very high upside. Weaknesses: Has battled weight problems throughout his college career...Has never been a starter, although he did play behind two guys who were drafted high in the NFL...Is very immature and his desire and motivation have to be seriously questioned...Is very inconsistent and doesn't always give 100%...Still has a lot to learn from a technique standpoint...Lacks strength and only did 16 reps of 225 lbs. on the bench press...Did not qualify right away out of high school (spent time at a JUCO) and then flunked out of school as a junior so you have to wonder about how well he will pick up a complicated defensive scheme. Notes: Was part of a famed Long Beach Poly High School class that also featured U.C.L.A. TE Marcedes Lewis as well as USC teammates OT Winston Justice and RB Hershel Dennis...Backed up Mike Patterson and Shaun Cody with the Trojans and was slated to step into the starting lineup in 2005 before being declared academically ineligible...Has the physical tools to be great but has yet to put it all together...Some team will likely take a chance on him much earlier than they should based on his potential but I wouldn't touch him before the 4th round. Wide Receiver | Junior | Clemson Roscoe Crosby Height: 6-2 | Weight: 218 | 40-Time: 4.45 Official Bio Strengths: Has great size and a solid frame...Is a tremendous athlete...Has very good speed...Is an acrobatic leaper who can go up and make plays...Has good hands for the most part...Is a vertical threat and a terror in the red zone...Shows good quickness and acceleration with a burst...Is still only 22-years-old and has a lot of upside and potential. Weaknesses: Has been away from the game since 2001...Has some durability issues after having surgery on his right elbow and being slowed during his one college season with minor injuries...Is very raw and will need a lot of development...Is lacking as a route runner...Needs to show better focus and concentration...Toughness is a question mark. Notes: An All-American coming out of the high school who was ranked right up there with Kevin Jones, Reggie Williams and Ahmad Carroll and actually rated higher than Larry Fitzgerald...Was drafted in the 2nd round and given a $1.75 million signing bonus by the Kansas City Royals, although he would likely have gone in the Top 10 overall had Major League teams not been concerned about luring him away from gridiron...Battled injuries and the loss of three friends who died in a tragic car accident on their way to see him playing summer league baseball that led to him flaming out as a baseball player...Redshirted in 2002 as he recovered from Tommy John surgery and then tried to return to football in 2003 but due to a contract misunderstanding the Royals decided not to pay for his tuition. The case eventually went to arbitration but was not resolved until February of 2005...Has the physical tools you crave and would be worth gambling a Day 2 selection on. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Others: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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