The 2019 NFL Supplemental Draft was stacked with rare talent. Cornerbacks Sam Beal and Adonis Alexander were the first two players selected since 2015.
Two players were selected at the conclusion of the 2019 NFL Supplemental Draft. Cornerback Sam Beal of Western Michigan was the first to go. He was selected by the New York Giants with a third-round pick.
Welcome to Big Blue, Sam Beal!#NYGiants select @BigBeal_ in the third round of the 2018 NFL Supplemental Draft.
— New York Giants (@Giants) July 11, 2018
➡️ https://t.co/wZbZKYaieV pic.twitter.com/ktCSEtKN9O
The second player off the board was Virginia Tech cornerback Adonis Alexander, who was selected with a sixth-round pick by the Washington Redskins.
Redskins select Virginia Tech CB Adonis Alexander in the 6th round of the supplemental draft: https://t.co/u8jhoLVnMk pic.twitter.com/dWNpZg13fY
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) July 11, 2018
This year’s class was headlined by Beal, who would’ve been considered as a late first-rounder had he stayed in college and declared himself eligible for the 2019 NFL Draft. Beal has elite size and length at 6’1″ to go along with impressive ball skills.
Last season with the Broncos, he registered a team-high 10 pass breakups.
First player picked in supplemental draft since 2015: Western Michigan CB Sam Beal goes in round x to the NY Giants, per league source. Giants forfeit an x-round pick for 2019 draft.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 11, 2018
Beal was forced into a difficult situation due to being behind in credit hours. His situation was in appeal by the NCAA, but he wouldn’t know of the status of his eligibility until it was too late.
This reason helped Beal’s stock because no major red flags were the cause of his departure. Very often, players who declare for the supplemental draft have huge off-field concerns.
The most recent examples are Terrelle Pryor and Josh Gordon.
Alexander is an enormous corner, with impressive measurements of 6’3″ and 207 pounds. His size advantage will could him a force as a press corner for Washington. The former Freshman All-American found himself off the Virginia Tech roster due to academic ineligibility.
His GPA was well below NCAA standards, but the uncertainty surrounding his future ultimately enabled him to make the leap to the NFL.
Redskins draft Virginia Tech CB Adonis Alexander in x 6th round of supplemental draft, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 11, 2018
Per supplemental draft rules, both teams must now forfeit draft picks in 2019 of the same round their pick was made.
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Other players who were not selected are Mississippi State safety Brandon Bryant, Oregon State linebacker Bright Ugwoegbu, and Grand Valley State running back Martayveus Carter.
Bryant has since signed with the New York Jets.