The NFL’s Supplemental Draft has made headlines the past two seasons, with Terrelle Pryor and Josh Gordon (our background check on him) being two of the more high profile selections since the Supplemental Draft came into being in 1977. (Here’s all the Supplemental Draft picks in history).
The Supplemental Draft is a way for rising senior prospects who are either able or forced to leave their college team to be “selected” by an NFL team. And while this year’s Supplemental Draft has no set prospects as of now, there are a handful of potentially eligible players that could pique the NFL’s interest. lead by now former Houston running back Charles Sims.
Charles Sims, RB, Houston
The most likely selection in the 2013 Supplemental Draft if he chooses to declare, Sims is reported to be considering California, West Virginia and Texas Tech as well as entering the Supplemental Draft. While details surrounding his exact reasons for leaving the school aren’t completely known as of now, all signs point to Sims being one of the few Supplemental Draft prospects without character red-flags.
Sims comes from the Houston “Air Raid” type offense, where he was asked to run quite a bit from the shotgun in zone read plays as well as an out of the backfield and slot receiver. As a running back, he keeps himself tight up and through the hole, keeping his base strong with a little wiggle when working in traffic initially. While he doesn’t have elite top speed, he’s able to transition laterally with balance to maintain his speed as he works upfield. And as a receiver, he’s smooth with the ball in his hands in space, and transitions upfield quickly without hesitation. He also has experience in the slot receiver set.
While it’s still no lock that Sims is set to declare for the Supplemental Draft, but if he were, I’d expect him to be considered by teams in the 4th-5th round area, especially since he would have been in that area of the 2013 Draft had he declared.
Michael Dyer, RB, Auburn/Arkansas State
Michael Dyer’s name resurfaced in the news, trying to campaign his way onto the Arkansas football team. However, Dyer has once again been told “no thank you” by a major college school, and his options of playing at the college level are dwindling. One of the key players in the 2010 Auburn National Championship team may have to move on from playing college football and instead enter the Supplemental Draft.
Dyer was one of the mostly highly touted recruits out of high school, and made an instant impact at Auburn when he arrived, rushing for over 1,000 yards in each of his two seasons there, including a 143 yard effort to help the Tigers win the 2010 National Championship. Dyer has the natural explosiveness and lower body strength to work on the inside and at the second level, and flashed big play ability on the edge and when escaping through traffic. However, he lacked adequate decisiveness, and his size/conditioning/development as a player is in serious question after a year outside of the game.
If he does make himself eligible for the 2013 Supplemental Draft, he may get a 7th round flier because of his upside, but more likely he’ll get a chance in camp with a team and likely end up on a practice squad, if he shows up in adequate shape.
Nick Harwell, WR, Miami OH/Kansas
Harwell is currently on the Kansas roster, based on this report by CBS Sports However, also listed in that article is the fact that Harwell needed to finish his credits during summer classes at Miami Ohio before he’s eligible in August. Harwell was kicked off the Miami Ohio team after he was arrested and charged for “attempted theft” on March 30th.
On the field, Harwell is an explosive receiver who has dynamic change of direction skills once the ball is in his hands. He was able to gain separation in vertical and comeback routes this year for Zac Dysert, and his vertical speed allowed Dysert to stretch the field consistently. He’ll need to bulk up and continue to develop short-area separation, but he has the balance, body control, and burst to be an NFL inside receiver.
If he is ruled ineligible for Kansas this year, he may have an outside shot as a draft selection in the Supplemental Draft, likely in the 6th or 7th round, thanks to his production in college and vertical speed.
Philander Moore, WR, Ole Miss
One of the more highly touted recruits out of the JUCO ranks, Moore was known in junior college for his elite speed and return ability. He arrived at Ole Miss in 2011, expected to be the big play threat they needed to replace Dexter McCluster. Instead, he finished his two year SEC career with just nine catches, 19 total returns, and one career touchdown. Moore was dismissed from the Ole Miss team after a domestic violence assault , and likely won’t have much interest as a Supplemental Draft pick. Still, his explosive ability may give him a chance to stick with a team.
Victor Dean, WR, Fresno State
Dismissed for violating athletic department rules, Dean has ample NFL size at 6’6, 200+ pounds, and flashed some upside when he did get a chance to start in the middle of 2012. However, after a broken leg in early November, the redshirt junior got more bad news when he was dismissed from the team last month.
Eric Williams, Linebacker, Pittsburgh
Set to be a redshirt junior (four years out of high school), the 6’3, 215 pound safety/linebacker Williams was the 5th leading tackler for the team in 2012 and hopes to leading this team into the ACC. However, he and fellow teammate Drew Carswell were cited in a “drug raid” that involved them being charged with use of drug paraphernalia.
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