Cleveland Browns: Supplemental draft holds no appeal this year

The Cleveland Browns may have mild interest in this year’s supplemental draft, but don’t expect them to make a selection.

The NFL will hold its annual supplemental draft on July 14, with six players eligible to be selected.

Among the players are Mississippi cornerback Tee Shepard, Virginia Tech long snapper Eddie D’Antuono, Purdue defensive lineman Ra’Zahn Howard, Sam Houston State running back Jalen Overstreet, wide receiver Rashaun Simonise of Calgary, Canada, and Concordia defensive end Cameron Walton, according to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport.

While the Cleveland Browns have occasionally dipped their toes in the supplemental draft waters with mixed results – wide receiver Josh Gordon (2012) was a one-year wonder who may never play again in the NFL because of substance-abuse issues, while Bernie Kosar (1985) remains the team’s last great quarterback – it is extremely unlikely that they will make a selection this year.

The Browns could use some additional help at running back and the 6-foot-2, 212-pound Overstreet has good size and averaged 5.9 yards per carry in two seasons with the Bearkats.

Of course, he was only at Sam Houston State after being dismissed from the Texas Longhorns, is currently facing an indictment on a felony charge of credit or debit card abuse, was arrested in November on a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge and was charged in March with stealing an iPad from an apartment complex.

With the new culture being put in place in Berea, it’s safe to say the Browns will take a pass on Overstreet.

Simonese is has the height (6-foot-5) that teams look for at wide receiver and had 65 receptions for 1,306 yards and 11 touchdowns last season for the Dinos. But after selecting four wide receivers in the regular draft, and with Terrelle Pryor still a project at the position, it would be a surprise if the Browns invested another draft pick in a raw player at the position.

Shepard began his career at Notre Dame before spending a year at a junior college. He eventually matriculated to Mississippi, but left the team after just five games, saying he had lost his passion for the game. He later accused the Rebels coaching staff of not playing him because he has a hearing impairment.

More from Dawg Pound Daily

• How the Browns could maximize Nick Chubb in 2023
• Can Deshaun Watson get to Patrick Mahomes level for Cleveland Browns?
• 3 Cleveland Browns who should see an expanded role in 2023 and 1 who should not
• Is Marcus Davenport on the Browns radar in 2023?
• 5 Free agents from Super Bowl LVII Cleveland Browns should target

The Browns have more cornerbacks than they know what to do with right now, so adding Shepard to the mix is unlikely.

Of the available players, the one who could possibly draw some interest from the Browns is Howard, who was a three-year starter for the Boilermakers and finished his collegiate career with 47 tackles and three sacks. The 6-3, 325-pound defensive tackle has reportedly drawn interest from every NFL team and his agent expects at “heavy turnout” at Howard’s Pro Day this Friday.

Cleveland isn’t exactly loaded at the defensive line position, but after drafting Carl Nassib and adding Nile Lawrence-Stample as an undrafted free agent, there may not be enough training camp reps left for another unproven player.

As for the rest, no way do the Browns use a pick on a long snapper or on a player trying to make the jump from a junior college to the NFL.

Next: Browns still facing QB criticism

The Browns are still in a rebuilding mode with the roster, but outside of Howard the players available in the supplemental draft hold little appeal. So don’t be surprised if the front office takes a vacation day on July 14.