NFL not expecting uptick in supplemental draft entries despite COVID-19

Despite questions surrounding the 2020 football season due to COVID-19, the NFL is not expecting an increase in Supplemental Draft entrants

The sports world has been weird since COVID-19 has put everything from March Madness to the start of Major League Baseball on hold. The NFL Draft was not postponed, and the start of the football season is not expected to be put on hold either. However, with uncertainty still in the air, many thought there would be a large uptick in draft eligible underclassmen who would enter the supplemental draft.

From Josh Gordon and Terrelle Pryor, all the way to Jalen Thompson from a year ago, the supplemental draft has been an opportunity for draft players whose college football season is in jeopardy to enter the league through an unorthodox method. The natural path of thinking would lead many to think that the 2020 supplemental draft could see an influx of players who could see their 2020 season axed due to COVID-19.

However, Yahoo Sports’ Peter Thamel seems to think that is not going to be the case. At least he has it on good authority the NFL does not think this will be the case.

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"“The NFL is letting it known that the supplemental draft isn’t expected to be significantly altered because of COVID-19. The narrative that they’ll be a flood of draft-eligible players allowed in the supplemental because the season may be altered isn’t true” (via Thamel)."

In fact, the league does not even seem to be budging on the eligibility requirements to declare for the supplemental draft, such as academic issues or other suspensions. Players who decided to return for their senior season of eligibility will have to fight through the circumstances and train as planned for the 2021 Draft.

Luckily, it seems like the COVID-19 shutdown is winding down, and football could be right around the corner as the league is planning to release their schedule today. If the shutdown does continue on, however, it will be interesting to see if the league changes their entry policies into the supplemental draft.