Giants Abstain From the Supplemental Draft

To the surprise of no one, the New York Giants decided not to make a pick in the Supplemental Draft on Tuesday, July 15^th. In total, only two teams made picks, one of which was our inter-Division rival Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys chose Joshua Brent-Price, defensive end from Illinois, in the seventh round of the draft, meaning they forfeit their seventh round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. For those unaware with the Supplemental Draft and its rules, if you chose to make a selection you lose your pick in the same round of the following NFL draft. Hence, the seventh round Cowboys selection costs them a seventh round 2011 NFL Draft pick.

The Supplemental Draft, for the pick forfeiting rule as well as the relative lack of talent compared to the NFL Draft, is rarely very busy. In fact, only three times in history have more than 2 players been selected in the same year, 1978 (the first Supplemental Draft), 1987, and 1989. The Gmen have made 2 Supplement picks in their history: taking the immortal QB Dave Brown from Duke in the first round (thus forfeiting their first round pick!) of the 1992 Draft, and taking serviceable cornerback Tito Wooten in the 4^th round in 1994.

Though the Giants haven’t struck pay dirt in the draft, many notable players have found their way into the League via the Supplemental Draft. All-Pro defensive tackle Jamal Williams, Jets wide receiver Rob Moore, QB’s Steve Walsh and Bernie Kosar, and future Hall of Famer Cris Carter all were drafted in the Supplemental Draft. Whether the new Cowboys defensive end turns out to be more like Dave Brown or Jamal Williams remains to be seen.