The traditional path to the NFL is well known: stand out in college football, be at least three years removed from high school, declare for the NFL Draft and hope to get selected in one of the seven rounds, or sign as an undrafted free agent afterward.
However, another route has largely been forgotten in recent years, though it was once used successfully and even produced historic NFL players. In 2025, no team will use this option, and it has remained unused since 2019. Learn what the NFL Supplemental Draft is and how it once played a role in key moments in league history.
What Is The NFL Supplemental Draft and Why Is No One Using It Anymore?
The NFL Draft period is one of the most anticipated offseason moments for fans and franchises, serving as the highlight of the league’s non-game stretch. It’s a time for internal renewal within teams and a beacon of hope for fanbases, an event that has proven to be one of the NFL’s greatest historical successes.
This process is deeply embedded in the league’s culture. However, the Supplemental Draft has faded from relevance recently, as teams have stopped using it. The last time a franchise took advantage of the system was in 2019, when the Arizona Cardinals selected safety Jalen Thompson. After losing out on a fifth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, it seems to have paid off as Thompson has started 72 of 84 games over six seasons, totaling 483 tackles, 31 pass breakups and nine interceptions.
Since then, the mechanism has gone unused, and analyst Dane Brugler confirmed there won’t be an NFL Supplemental Draft in 2025.
Sources: The NFL has informed teams there won’t be a Supplemental Draft this summer.
The last player selected in the Supplemental Draft was in 2019.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) June 27, 2025
The Supplemental Draft exists for players whose college eligibility status changed after the deadline to declare for the standard draft. Teams that make a selection in the supplemental process forfeit a pick in the corresponding round of the following year’s regular draft, as reported by Josh Alper via Pro Football Talk.
However, this mechanism has not been needed in recent years, mainly due to significant changes in the college football landscape. The rise of the transfer portal and new NIL rules has made it easier for players to remain in college until they meet standard draft eligibility requirements.
A player must be at least three years removed from high school to be eligible for the NFL Draft. Additionally, players who complete four years of college are automatically eligible, while underclassmen and graduates may petition the league for early entry.
The biggest success story among the notable players selected via the NFL Supplemental Draft is Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter, who was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1987 and became an eight-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro. A unique supplemental draft was held in 1984 for college seniors who had signed with the USFL or CFL. That draft featured two future Hall of Famers: quarterback Steve Young and defensive end Reggie White, both legends in NFL history.