What is the NFL supplemental draft? Sorsby could join exclusive list

This offseason, a major discussion has centered around Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby.

With Sorsby headed to the pros, here’s a breakdown of the NFL supplemental draft and how it works:

The 2026 NFL draft has already passed. That doesn’t mean teams can’t still add college standouts to their rosters for the upcoming season.

Players like Sorsby can benefit from the supplemental draft if they can’t (or in this case decide not to) return to college. Prospects who couldn’t enter the April draft and lose their college eligibility have the option to declare for the supplemental draft. NFL teams picking players through the supplemental draft typically give up a pick in the following year’s draft.

For example, the Arizona Cardinals selected safety Jalen Thompson in the fifth round of the 2019 supplemental draft. That means the team gave up a fifth-rounder in the 2020 NFL draft.

Thompson was the last player selected in a supplemental draft. Here are other notable examples of supplemental draft picks:

1985: Cleveland Browns use a first-round supplemental draft pick to select quarterback Bernie Kosar.

1987: Seattle Seahawks use a first-round supplemental draft pick to select linebacker Brian Bosworth.

1987: Philadelphia Eagles use a fourth-round supplemental draft pick to select wide receiver Cris Carter.

1989: Dallas Cowboys use a first-round supplemental draft pick to select quarterback Steve Walsh.

2012: Cleveland Browns use a second-round supplemental draft pick to select wide receiver Josh Gordon.