Chicago Bears Have a 2018 Supplemental Draft Conundrum
By Erik Lambert
The Chicago Bears have almost an absolute zero presence in the NFL supplemental draft since its inception in 1977. They’ve dipped it once.
During the 2010 offseason, they selected BYU fullback Harvey Unga in the seventh round. He spent four seasons with the team but never played in a single game. He suffered from personal issues at home and elevated from the main roster to the practice squad several times. It just never worked out. This is the kind of risk teams run with this draft.
The supplemental draft could be called the “red-headed step-child” of the NFL draft. Players who apply for it are generally involved for two reasons: they had academic problems in school or they had disciplinary problems. Or both. That’s why it’s often better to just ignore the supplemental draft and let those players hit undrafted free agency. However, there are certain exceptions.
Talents of blue-chip caliber who might just be worth taking the plunge. The Bears may be facing one of those instances this year.
Former Virginia Tech CB Adonis Alexander told me he was ruled academically ineligible in the past month. Hence, he’s applying for the NFL supplemental draft, where teams expect he’ll be just the second player since Josh Gordon in 2012 to get picked. @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/rRujyCls49
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 1, 2018
Adonis Alexander easily the best talent to his draft in years
People can’t say the supplemental draft is pointless. To date eight Pro Bowlers have been selected through it including future Hall of Fame receiver Cris Carter and quarterback Bernie Kosar. So while it’s a roll of the dice, there is the chance of landing a top quality player. That’s why teams have their eyes carefully fixed on Virginia Tech corner Adonis Alexander.
He’s had the attention of the pros for some time. The kid is a 6’3 cornerback playing on one of the top defenses in the country. Given how much the NFL loves size at that position, it’s understandable he’d be hard to miss. Since switching to corner in 2016 he has three interceptions, 11 passes defended, a forced fumble and a sack. Though not always consistent on the field, he’s shown a penchant for making some spectacular plays.
Alexander exhibits the dimension that Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio covets. He’s always preferred defensive backs with more size, particularly at corner due to their length and ability to play physical. This seems like the sort of project Fangio could turn into gold with a couple years of work. Alexander’s potential is through the roof. It’s a question of whether he’s willing to put in the time and if he can stay out of trouble.
Next: 2019 NFL Mock Draft: Oakland Raiders Put AFC On Notice
In prior years the Bears have shied away from players with a checkered past. However, new head coach Matt Nagy is not unfamiliar with dealing with unique personalities. This might be a calculated risk he’s willing to take. It comes down to how high a pick the Bears would be willing to spend to get him.