2016 NFL Supplemental Draft: What you should know [updated]

More draft talk! Well, just a bit.

The 2016 NFL Supplemental Draft is Thursday, July 14th, so we should probably get to know the process and the prospects.

With the Supplemental Draft right around the corner, Dan Kadar over at Mocking The Draft has put together his own preview, and it’s definitely worth a read.

The Rules

The rules of the Supplemental Draft are very different from the regular spring draft we all go so bonkers about. First, the talent pool is much, much smaller. Generally speaking, only players who missed the deadline to file for the NFL Draft, or somehow had their eligibility interfered with, are eligible.

Second, the supplemental draft is in the style of a "silent auction." Instead of teams taking turns picking players, they each quietly put in a "bid" on a player. The team with the highest "bid" is awarded the player. The team then forfeits that "bid" in the next draft. Finally, teams’ are weighted in accordance to their draft slot of that year. Put in practical terms, if the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers are both interested in a prospect and put up a fifth-round bid, the Giants would be awarded that player because they had a higher draft slot in the 2016 draft, and sacrifice their 2017 fifth-round pick.

The Prospects

Eddie D’antuono (LS, Virginia Tech)

Ra’Zahn Howard (DT, Purdue)

Jalen Overstreet (RB, Sam Houston State)

Tee Shepard (CB, Ole Miss)

Rashuan Simonise (WR, Calgary)

Cameron Walton (DE, Concordia)

What You Should Know

The Giants don’t have much of a history with the Supplemental Draft. Not much of the league does, in fact. In 2015 the Rams used a fifth-round pick to select Isaiah Battle (OL, Clemson). Battle was the first supplemental draftee since the Browns used a second-round pick to draft Josh Gordon in 2012.

Jalen Overstreet (RB, Sam Houston State)

Overstreet is a big back at 6 foot 2 inches, 212 pounds, and he averaged five yards per carry in the two games he played in 2015. However, continuing legal troubles will likely keep teams away.

Cameron Walton (DE, Concordia)

At 6’3, 230 pounds, Walton is likely too small for an NFL defensive end. However, his coach credits him with "about 20" sacks, so an NFL team that runs a 3-4 defense might try to find a home for him as a pass rushing specialist and special teams player.

Eddie D’antuono (LS, VA Tech)

Even though his 6’7", 265 pound frame is intriguing, teams are unlikely to give up a 2017 pick for a long snapper.

Tee Shepard (CB, Ole Miss)

Shepard is a 6 foot, 190-pound corner with the measurables the NFL looks for and, but his deafness (he has a 90 percent hearing impairment) very well could keep teams away.

Rashaun Simonise (WR, Calgary)

Canadian receiver Rashaun Simonise has intriguing physical tools at 6-5, 215 pounds, reportedly running a laser timed 4.42 second 40-yard dash, he is big and fast in the mold of Martavis Bryant. He was simply too much for defenses in Canadian colleges, with 51 receptions, 1,079 yards, and 11 touchdowns in eight games in 2015. He is likely facing a tough task translating to the NFL game, but teams could easily fall in love with his physical tools.

Kadar suggests that a season or two in the CFL to polish his skills might benefit Simonise.

Ra’Zahn Howard (DT, Purdue)

Purdue defensive tackle Ra’Zahn Howard might be the player to watch for the Supplemental Draft. His a big, strong nose tackle at 6-2, 325 pounds who is also surprisingly quick for a player of his size. His size will likely mean that teams running a 3-4 front will likely be most interested — good nose tackles are both vital to the 3-4 and hard to find — his short-area quickness suggests some ability to disrupt in a four-man front. Howard, a New Jersey native, will be holding a Pro Day on July 8th in New Jersey. The Giants have invested in their defensive line, and if they aren’t happy with the depth behind Jay Bromley, Howard could be an option. He is expected to be a "fifth-round" pick.

Kadar reports that Howard wasn’t on the field much in pass-rush situations, instead used to occupy blockers in the run game. But he also said "He flashed at times, but was on the sidelines far too often." And that "In front of nine NFL scouts, Howard looked a little gassed and heavy footed working through drills." Conditioning is usually an issue with nose tackles, and the July heat probably didn’t help matters any.

The Giants were one of nine teams to have a scout at Howard’s Pro Day, and given their investment in the defensive front seven this offseason, could well put in a bid on Howard if they like what they’ve seen.

Will any of these young men be Giants come training camp? That remains to be seen. The Giants generally don’t like to part with draft picks without good reason before the draft, but one of the consistent messages from the Giants’ front office is that they explore all options to improve the team.