LA Rams News: NFL announces no 2020 supplemental draft

Reports are surfacing today that the NFL will not hold a supplemental NFL draft in 2020. While that will likely not impact the LA Rams, there is a reason why this news is significant. So let’s discuss the matter. Before we dive headfirst into the matter, a bit of background information is due right about now. So what is the NFL supplemental draft? And why is one held in July of most years?

The supplemental draft is a mechanism designed to afford college football players an opportunity to join an NFL team after they are deemed no longer eligible for NCAA football. NFL teams are divided into three groups based on their success in the previous season. Teams then can bid for a player, and the best bid (lowest ranking team with highest draft round) is awarded the right to sign that player. Of course, that team must then forfeit their upcoming draft pick in the next draft.

Fast traveling news

The news was reported today:

The NFL just informed clubs it will not conduct a supplemental draft this year, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 1, 2020

The 2020 supplemental draft has been a hot topic of late. With the 2020 NCAA college season canceled or at risk of cancellation, many predicted a huge influx of 2021 draft prospects via the 2020 supplemental draft.

Sources: 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.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) May 7, 2020

Even with the announcement, pressure continued to build from some teams and players. And the risk of litigation to allow high-end players who were confident of significant NFL interest was too great. This eliminates any controversy and allows NFL teams and NCAA players to focus on other matters for the time being.

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While this does not affect the LA Rams per se, it does ensure that no potential opponent can slip in a talented player for the 2020 NFL season. And the news is not totally unexpected, as the NFL has limited resources to vet new prospects while complying with federal, state, local, and municipal regulations to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

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