The NFL supplemental draft works in a way that’s actually quite simple, yet because of the format, players are rarely selected in the process. Eight players have been picked in the NFL supplemental draft over the last 10 years, including two last July. In 2019, only a few players are eligible for the supplemental draft, and at least one is a decent bet to be selected.

The NFL supplemental draft in 2019 is scheduled for July 10.

MORE: Updated NFL power rankings after the 2019 NFL Draft

What is the NFL supplemental draft?

The reason players are rarely picked in the NFL supplemental draft is simple. The format is such that a team forfeits a pick in the following year’s draft if it chooses to select a player in the supplemental draft. Why give up, say, a third-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft for a player who was eligible for but didn’t enter the 2019 NFL Draft?

Unless that player is a talent like Josh Gordon, who was picked in the 2012 supplemental draft, it’s a waste of a future draft pick. After all, if a player who has entered the supplemental draft does not get selected, he immediately becomes an unrestricted free agent and is free to sign with any team.

Here is the NFL’s explanation of its supplemental draft. We’ll expand on it below.

When the NFL says “players whose eligibility has changed since the NFL Draft,” it means players who are not able to return for their final seasons of college, typically due to academic issues or suspension. To be eligible to enter the supplemental draft, a player must be at least three years removed from high school and entering his final year of college eligibility.

“Teams do not have to participate in the supplemental draft; if they choose to do so, they may bid for the player by telling the league the round in which they would like to take a specific player. If no other club bids on that player, they are awarded the player and lose a pick in the following year’s NFL Draft that corresponds with the round in which they were awarded the player.

“If multiple teams submit bids for the player, the highest bidder is awarded that player and loses the corresponding draft pick.”

As explained by SN last year, the NFL supplemental draft basically works like a silent auction. Teams are able to privately bid on players using next year’s draft picks, and the team that bids the highest draft pick on a player is awarded that player. That team, though, loses the corresponding pick it bid in next year’s draft.

For example, last year, the Redskins bid on and were awarded Virginia Tech cornerback Adonis Alexander with a sixth-round pick in the supplemental draft. Alexander was immediately added to Washington’s 90-man roster for training camp, and the team had to forfeit its sixth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.

In the event two teams bid the same pick on a player in the supplemental draft, the NFL turns to a predetermined draft order based on a three-tiered system. The first tier consists of teams with five or fewer wins from last season. The second tier consists of teams with more than five wins but did not make the playoffs last season. The third tier consists of playoff teams from last season. Within each tier, a lottery system — which is just like the NBA Draft lottery — determines the order of the teams.

So if a team in the first tier and a team in the second tier both bid a fourth-round pick on a player in the supplemental draft, the team in the first tier is awarded the player.

Who is eligible for the NFL supplemental draft in 2019?

Five players are eligible for the NFL supplemental draft in 2019: Washington State defensive back Jalen Thompson, West Virginia wide receiver Marcus Simms, Syracuse linebacker Shyheim Cullen and Northland Community College tight end Devonaire Clarington and Saint Francis defensive back Bryant Perry.

Jalen Thompson, DB, Washington State

Thompson recently lost his final year of eligibly at Washington State due to an NCAA rules violation. According to The Spokesman-Review, the violation “stems from the purchase of an over-the-counter supplement at a local nutrition store, although the source made a point to emphasize it was not a steroid.”

Thompson’s late entry in the supplemental draft made him the new favorite (and a strong bet) to be selected. The two-time All-Pac-12 selection is a 6-0, 195-pounder who started all 13 games at safety for the Cougars last season.

Marcus Simms, WR, West Virginia

Simms is a 6-0, 200-pound, speedy receiver who put up solid numbers — 87 catches, 1,457 yards, 8 TDs — for the Mountaineers. He had entered the NCAA’s transfer portal due to a alleged violation of West Virginia’s conduct code but instead chose to try the NFL.

Charles Goldman of USA Today’s Chiefs Wire suggested Kansas City could take a long look at Simms in the supplemental draft.

Shyhem Cullen, LB, Syracuse

Academic issues led to Cullen being declared ineligible for 2019 by the NCAA. According to Syracuse.com, Cullen “was recently measured at 39 inches in the vertical jump — a mark that would’ve tied for third among linebackers in the NFL Combine. He also checked in at 4.51 seconds in the 40-yard dash (t-fifth) and 118 inches in the broad jump (t-14th). He consistently pushes out 23 reps (t-10th) in the 225-pound bench press.”

In three seasons with the Orange, Cullen recorded 43 total tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack.

Devonaire Clarington, TE, Northland Community College

Clarington is an interesting story. He was a big recruit for Texas back in 2015, but he ended up never playing for the Longhorns due to academic issues. The 6-6, 230-pound tight end transferred to Blynn Junior College and eventually Northland.

According to NFL reporter Dov Kleiman, Clarington recently ran a 4.6 40-yard dash.

Bryant Perry, DB, Saint Francis

In seven games last season with Saint Francis, Perry recorded 24 tackles (18 solo) and three pass breakups. The Chicago native also spent two seasons at Mesabi Range College in Virginia, Minn., where he recorded 55 tackles, six pass breakups, 1.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an interception.

NFL supplemental draft picks

Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter is by far the best player ever taken in the supplemental draft, which the NFL established in 1977. Other big names taken in the supplemental draft over the years include Bernie Kosar, Brian Bosworth, Jamal Williams, Ahmad Brooks, Terrelle Pryor and the aforementioned Gordon.

Here is the complete list of players taken in the NFL supplemental draft.