Premier cornerback prospect Sam Beal petitioning to enter supplemental draft, per report

The NFL supplemental draft hasn’t seen many top prospects in recent years, but that could change this offseason. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Western Michigan cornerback Sam Beal plans to petition the NCAA to enter the supplemental draft next month and could become the earliest supplemental selection since Josh Gordon in 2012.

Listed at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, Beal has already garnered praise as one of the top prospects in next year’s NFL draft. Consequently, he could come off the board early should he gain approval for the supplemental draft. Schefter reports that league personnel people “believe [Beal] likely would be picked somewhere in the first three rounds.”

In addition to Beal, Mississippi State defensive back Brandon Bryant and Virginia Tech corner Adonis Alexander will apply for this year’s supplemental draft, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Bryant, in particular, possesses “draftable talent.”

Despite investing four first- and second-round picks in the secondary over the last two drafts, the Packers could still consider adding another defensive back through the supplemental draft. Doing so could further protect against injury and increase the chances that the team ends up with multiple starting-caliber players for its rebuilding defense.