NFL Skips Supplemental Draft For Second Consecutive Year

The NFL has announced it will not hold a supplemental draft for the 2025 season, marking the second consecutive year without this event. The supplemental draft, established in 1977, allows players who missed the regular draft due to eligibility issues to enter the league, but no players have been selected since 2019, when the Arizona Cardinals picked safety Jalen Thompson. Teams that select players in the supplemental draft forfeit the corresponding round pick in the following year's regular draft, which may contribute to its declining use. Over its history, 46 players have been chosen through this process, including notable names like Hall of Famer Cris Carter and other prominent players such as Bernie Kosar, Josh Gordon, and Terrelle Pryor. It remains unclear if the NFL plans to reinstate the supplemental draft in 2026 or beyond. The absence of eligible players or changes in team strategy may be factors influencing the continued suspension of the supplemental draft.