The NFL Supplemental Draft typically comes and goes without any fanfare at all through the league’s offseason calendar. The case for the Dallas Cowboys since 2010, when they made their last supplemental pick in the seventh round with Illinois’ Josh Brent, this year’s draft may change the approach for many teams.
Virginia Tech Cornerback Adonis Alexander will be eligible for the 2018 Supplemental Draft, losing his academic eligibility as a Senior in the ACC. Reportedly still working to finish his degree, Alexander will look to put a troubled past that also includes a marijuana possession arrest behind him as he works out for NFL teams.
If Alexander impresses in the way he’s expected to, there’s a strong chance he’ll become the first supplemental draft pick since 2015. Any club selecting a player in this draft forfeits the corresponding round’s pick at the next NFL Draft.
The Cowboys came away from the 2018 Draft without a new defensive back, trusting their new Passing Game Coordinator Kris Richard to work with second-year talents Chidobe Awuzie, Jourdan Lewis, and Xavier Woods.
Given that their current depth has seen Lewis, who started admirably as an outside cornerback in 2017, lose out on reps to Anthony Brown in the slot, the Cowboys could easily pass on Alexander and feel good about a CB group that also includes Awuzie, Byron Jones, and Marquez White.
Undrafted free agents Kam Kelly and Donovan Olumba have also made strong impressions early in OTAs, putting themselves ahead of the curve against a player like Alexander.
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Still, a 6’3″ corner with seven career interceptions and 24 passes defended may be the best possible asset the Cowboys can get for Richard, compared to the uncertainty of a late round pick.
A team will give Adonis Alexander a chance in hopes of him becoming the next Josh Gordon or Terrelle Pryor, recent supplemental picks that have found success in this league but not without their “baggage”. The hope is that Alexander, who by his own admission was told by a scout his team had a “big grade” on him, can turn the corner and realize he’ll be one of the last players on any squad’s 90-man roster.
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This is particularly true of a Cowboys team that has done exceptionally well in turning over their young secondary. Their confidence in this group will be solidified one way or another following next month’s supplemental draft, which has no set start date at this time.
