NFL Supplemental Draft: Giants Intrigued by Traylon Shead
By Adam Ganeles
Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
NFL Supplemental Draft
It’s that time of year again, when the NFL Supplemental Draft sneaks up from behind and taps us on the shoulder. Oh yeah… we almost forgot about you!
The annual Supplemental Draft will take place on Friday July 11th. The order will be determined by a “three-step ‘weighted’ system that entails a lottery within each level“. After the order is determined, the teams will participate in a “semi-auction style process” wherein formal bids are submitted to the league for player services. Depending on the winning bid, ‘said’ team will lose a selection in the NFL Draft in the round associated with that dollar amount. Got it? Didn’t think so.
Anyway… let’s get away from all that technical mumbo-jumbo; we’re here to talk about former SMU running back Traylon Shead. Since being declared eligible for the Supplemental Draft in mid-June, NFL organizations have taken a thorough interest in the 6’2 225 lb power back. As has been reported by his agent Louis Bing, 10 teams were present to witness Shead’s Pro Day workout on July 2nd — including the New York Football Giants.
A highly touted RB recruit by the University of Texas, Shead once upon a time ran a 4.5 40-yard dash, bench pressed 400 pounds and squatted 500 pounds. Ultimately, he ended up transferring to SMU for more reps in a more suitable run scheme, as Texas was utilizing him as an H-back. Injuries derailed his ascent during his time in Dallas — he ran for 197 yards and three touchdowns in 4 games last season — but the train hasn’t rolled off the tracks for Shead just yet. Here’s a workout clip that Louis Bing posted on Instagram:
The Supplemental Draft is an interesting aspect of the offseason process that often goes overlooked. There have been some quality names found in the SD over the years e.g. Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter, who was drafted as a 4th round supplemental choice by the Eagles in 1987. If that doesn’t support the notion that good players can be found using this method of unearthing talent in the National Football League, then nothing will.
Flashing back to 1994, defensive back Tito Wooten was the Giants’ last Supplemental Draft selection in round #4. Prior to that, Big Blue Nation recalls all too well the trials and tribulations of quarterback, and evil-doer, Dave Brown. Sorry, folks… I had to do it. The Giants relinquished a first-round draft choice to select Brown out of Duke University in 1992. He is widely remembered as one of the worst quarterbacks in NFL history.
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