JetNation Supplemental Draft Watch List 2018

With the 2018 NFL Supplemental draft approaching fast, Mike Maccagnan and the Jets have an opportunity to add a another cornerback, hoping to provide more depth and security in the secondary. The question members of the Jet community are wondering is, what would the Jets have to give up?

When it comes to who the Jets might be interested in should the opt to make a move, it’s likely that Maccagnan and Head Coach Todd Bowles will look at the secondary. The three targets the Jets would be most likely focus on include cornerbacks Sam Beal and Adonis Alexander and safety Brandon Bryant.

Before we dive into which players are worth watching in the Supplemental Draft, it is important to understand even what this draft is.

For the most part, those players in the supplemental draft are not in it for good reasons. In simple terms, it means that there is no way a player will be eligible to play college football next season due to disciplinary issues or because of academic ineligibility.  NFL teams can go ahead and select them before training camp starts as opposed to waiting until next year’s draft.  Now, on to the players.

CB Sam Beal, Western Michigan: Beal is considered by many to have the most upside out of this group. The Western Michigan cornerback has been ruled academically ineligible for this upcoming season.  Beal has already been creating some buzz and is considered one of the most talented players to ever enter in the supplemental draft. Its been reported by SNY that multiple teams may be willing to give up a day two pick to have him on their roster.

In the end, the chances of the Jets actually landing Beal is slim not just because of draft cost, but his size.  Beal checks it at 178 pounds, and has a 72 3/4” wingspan. With those numbers, talent aside, the Jets may be unwilling to give up a day two pick for a player who may not be a good scheme fit.

CB Adonis Alexander, Virginia Tech: With Alexander, completely flip his skill set with Beal. Where Beal is undersized, Alexander is big, and where Beal is athletic, Alexander is lacking as evidenced by his 4.61 40 time at his pro day. The Virginia Tech Corner has great height and weight standing at 6 feet, 3 inches, weighing 207 pounds. His strengths are in press coverage, tracking the ball in the air, and great feet. Even still, he lacks physicality, which he will need plenty of if he wants to make an NFL roster. If Maccagnan can spend a 5th round pick for Alexander, it would be worth it.

S Brandon Bryant, Mississippi St:  Bryant is academically ineligible, and received a DUI January 2017.  On the field, he’s a good athlete who stays low in his pedal, is strong against the run and reacts to the ball well with good hands. On the other hand,  He does lack suddenness, and his character issues seem to be a cause for concern. Bryant’s athleticism and big hits are enough to get a receiver’s attention coming across the middle, but having taken Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye last season, it’s highly unlikely the Jets make a bid for Bryant.

The Jets haven’t drafted a player in the supplemental draft since choosing Syracuse wide receiver Rob Moore back in 1990.  Whether or not they throw their hat in the ring again in 2018 will be revealed in just a couple of days.

Will Snell Jr.

Will Snell was born in Austin, Texas and has grown up living between Austin and New York City. Will has always been an avid Nets, Jets and Yankees fan. Will currently attends Southern Methodist University. He has been a member of the JetNation forums since 2009, and joined our staff in 2018.

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