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[FONT=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]Rob Rang
Senior Analyst
NFLDraftScout.com
Updated - July 1, 2007 - NFLDraftScout.com has learned that as of today, there are now six players officially eligible for the 2007 Supplemental Draft -- and despite previous reports, Maryland offensive tackle Jared Gaither is not among them.
The Supplemental Draft, the NFL's summer sequel to the annual April selection process, has been scheduled for July 12th. Teams, at this point, have six prospects to consider, though arguably the biggest story preceding the draft revolves around Gaither - a player not yet officially eligible. Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen publicly announced that it was Gaither's intention to make himself eligible for the supplemental, but as of Sunday, Gaither was not apart of the official prospect list being sent to teams.
The six names that were included are: Georgia cornerback Paul Oliver, Nebraska offensive tackle Chris Patrick, Texas State defensive end/linebacker Mark Washington, Morgan State offensive tackle Robert Armstrong, East Carolina offensive tackle Aaron Turner and Florida State defensive tackle Clifton Dickson.
Of the group, Oliver is the most decorated and likely to earn the highest draft rating. Ineligible in 2007 due to academics, Oliver earned consensus First Team SEC honors last season despite it being his first full season as a starter. His combination of size (5-11, 195 pounds) and ballhawking skills (7 INTs in 15 starts) are sure to intrigue teams looking for late help in their defensive backfield.
Patrick, has natural tools, and though he projects inside to guard, was effective last year as Nebraska's starting left tackle. The starter at that position in each of the team's final 12 games, Patrick is athletic and strong enough that he should be able to develop in a zone or drive blocking system. Patrick deserves late round consideration.
Texas State's Mark Washington is quietly one of the more intriguing players in this draft. A freshman starter at Arizona State at linebacker, the 6-3, 250 pound Washington transferred to Texas State, where he played both defensive end and defensive tackle. Washington had lost weight in an effort to move back to linebacker this fall and shows some natural pass rush ability. He isn't likely to be drafted, but has enough size and upfield burst to generate some free agent interest from teams, especially those operating a 3-4 alignment.
Morgan State's Robert Armstrong isn't the dominant force his size would indicate, but a team could be willing to gamble on the defensive tackle's 6-4, 308 frame. Armstrong is likely going to have to sign with a team as an undrafted free agent.
Turner never played a snap for East Carolina due to academics, but signed with the team after earning All-Conference accolades at Cisco Junior College (Tx). The 6-7, 350 pounder was expected to be an immediate impact performer for East Carolina before his being suspended.
Dickson signed with Florida State as a highly touted prep defensive tackle, and flashed ability early in his career, but likely will be graded as an undraftable prospect. Dickson struggled with academics throughout his career and was ruled academically ineligible for the 2005 season. He dropped out of Florida State to enroll at Tallahassee Community College. Upon graduation from Tallahassee, Dickson was to be allowed back at Florida State. Whether Dickson ever graduated from Tallahassee is unknown, though he never was re-admitted to the Florida State football team. That didn't stop him from making news, however, as off-field troubles, including an arrest for grand theft and possession of marijuana, likely will turn NFL scouts away.
As mentioned previously, a player not yet on the official list, remains one of the more intriguing stories of the supplemental draft. Maryland offensive tackle, Jared Gaither, was ruled academically ineligible and both he and his former head coach have publicly announced his intentions to enter the supplemental draft. A 6-9, 330 pound monster, Gaither has experience at both left and right tackle and has the talent worthy of consideration in the higher rounds. There are concerns about his work ethic, however, and his play dipped in 2006 after an impressive freshman season.
Gaither is one of many prospects rumored to have been included in the supplemental draft to this point. With less than two weeks until the draft is thought that there are a few prospects still considering making themselves eligible.
Unlike the April draft, the Supplemental draft is not a televised event. Teams make their selections via email. All teams are allowed to turn in their "cards" with the name(s) of prospects they'd like to pick along with the round to do so. Should multiple teams turn in a card with the same round, the team with the higher pick is awarded the player. The order is roughly, albeit not exactly, based on April's draft order. All 32 teams are slotted into three groups based on their total victories the year before. Like in April, the first slots are designated for the teams with the fewest victories. For the supplemental draft, however, all of the teams with six or fewer victories are placed into Group A. Teams with more than 6 victories, but did not reach the playoffs are then slotted into Group B. Group C is comprised of the 12 teams that did make the playoffs. Designating the pick order in this way makes for some interesting scenarios. Last year, for example, the Houston Texans held the 1st pick in the April draft, yet the San Francisco 49ers "won" the lottery for the supplemental, earning them first pick of each and every round of the July 2006 draft.
The drawing for the final Supplemental Draft order occurs on the morning of the draft. Any team using a pick on July 12th will lose their corresponding selection in next April's draft.[/FONT]
Senior Analyst
NFLDraftScout.com
Updated - July 1, 2007 - NFLDraftScout.com has learned that as of today, there are now six players officially eligible for the 2007 Supplemental Draft -- and despite previous reports, Maryland offensive tackle Jared Gaither is not among them.
The Supplemental Draft, the NFL's summer sequel to the annual April selection process, has been scheduled for July 12th. Teams, at this point, have six prospects to consider, though arguably the biggest story preceding the draft revolves around Gaither - a player not yet officially eligible. Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen publicly announced that it was Gaither's intention to make himself eligible for the supplemental, but as of Sunday, Gaither was not apart of the official prospect list being sent to teams.
The six names that were included are: Georgia cornerback Paul Oliver, Nebraska offensive tackle Chris Patrick, Texas State defensive end/linebacker Mark Washington, Morgan State offensive tackle Robert Armstrong, East Carolina offensive tackle Aaron Turner and Florida State defensive tackle Clifton Dickson.
Of the group, Oliver is the most decorated and likely to earn the highest draft rating. Ineligible in 2007 due to academics, Oliver earned consensus First Team SEC honors last season despite it being his first full season as a starter. His combination of size (5-11, 195 pounds) and ballhawking skills (7 INTs in 15 starts) are sure to intrigue teams looking for late help in their defensive backfield.
Patrick, has natural tools, and though he projects inside to guard, was effective last year as Nebraska's starting left tackle. The starter at that position in each of the team's final 12 games, Patrick is athletic and strong enough that he should be able to develop in a zone or drive blocking system. Patrick deserves late round consideration.
Texas State's Mark Washington is quietly one of the more intriguing players in this draft. A freshman starter at Arizona State at linebacker, the 6-3, 250 pound Washington transferred to Texas State, where he played both defensive end and defensive tackle. Washington had lost weight in an effort to move back to linebacker this fall and shows some natural pass rush ability. He isn't likely to be drafted, but has enough size and upfield burst to generate some free agent interest from teams, especially those operating a 3-4 alignment.
Morgan State's Robert Armstrong isn't the dominant force his size would indicate, but a team could be willing to gamble on the defensive tackle's 6-4, 308 frame. Armstrong is likely going to have to sign with a team as an undrafted free agent.
Turner never played a snap for East Carolina due to academics, but signed with the team after earning All-Conference accolades at Cisco Junior College (Tx). The 6-7, 350 pounder was expected to be an immediate impact performer for East Carolina before his being suspended.
Dickson signed with Florida State as a highly touted prep defensive tackle, and flashed ability early in his career, but likely will be graded as an undraftable prospect. Dickson struggled with academics throughout his career and was ruled academically ineligible for the 2005 season. He dropped out of Florida State to enroll at Tallahassee Community College. Upon graduation from Tallahassee, Dickson was to be allowed back at Florida State. Whether Dickson ever graduated from Tallahassee is unknown, though he never was re-admitted to the Florida State football team. That didn't stop him from making news, however, as off-field troubles, including an arrest for grand theft and possession of marijuana, likely will turn NFL scouts away.
As mentioned previously, a player not yet on the official list, remains one of the more intriguing stories of the supplemental draft. Maryland offensive tackle, Jared Gaither, was ruled academically ineligible and both he and his former head coach have publicly announced his intentions to enter the supplemental draft. A 6-9, 330 pound monster, Gaither has experience at both left and right tackle and has the talent worthy of consideration in the higher rounds. There are concerns about his work ethic, however, and his play dipped in 2006 after an impressive freshman season.
Gaither is one of many prospects rumored to have been included in the supplemental draft to this point. With less than two weeks until the draft is thought that there are a few prospects still considering making themselves eligible.
Unlike the April draft, the Supplemental draft is not a televised event. Teams make their selections via email. All teams are allowed to turn in their "cards" with the name(s) of prospects they'd like to pick along with the round to do so. Should multiple teams turn in a card with the same round, the team with the higher pick is awarded the player. The order is roughly, albeit not exactly, based on April's draft order. All 32 teams are slotted into three groups based on their total victories the year before. Like in April, the first slots are designated for the teams with the fewest victories. For the supplemental draft, however, all of the teams with six or fewer victories are placed into Group A. Teams with more than 6 victories, but did not reach the playoffs are then slotted into Group B. Group C is comprised of the 12 teams that did make the playoffs. Designating the pick order in this way makes for some interesting scenarios. Last year, for example, the Houston Texans held the 1st pick in the April draft, yet the San Francisco 49ers "won" the lottery for the supplemental, earning them first pick of each and every round of the July 2006 draft.
The drawing for the final Supplemental Draft order occurs on the morning of the draft. Any team using a pick on July 12th will lose their corresponding selection in next April's draft.[/FONT]
