Latest On Western Michigan’s Sam Beal

Sam Beal is well on his way to becoming the first player selected in the NFL’s supplemental draft since 2015. The former Western Michigan cornerback ran a 4.40 second 40-yard-dash at his pro day, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. 

NFL personnel people believe Beal is likely to fall somewhere in the first three rounds of the draft, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. In the last decade, only Josh Gordon and Terrelle Pryor have been selected in the top three rounds.

After discussing Beal with a scouting analyst and scouts from across the NFL, Terez A. Paylor of Yahoo Sports estimates that Beal will fall in the third or fourth round.

I think collectively, Beal is considered the top guy,” scouting analyst Eric Galko said. “Being a taller corner, being long, fluid and works well vertically, I think he’s a better athlete in terms of his hip fluidity and quick-twitch for a taller corner than most guys are. Usually, you’re sacrificing height for quickness but he does a great job of not being that way — he sinks really low. His ability to play as a press Cover 3 guy will help, and he can play underneath, he can play man coverage and he can work across the field. He plays like a 5’10” corner at 6’1″, that’s why teams are excited about him. I think he had a great shot for Round 1 [in the 2019 draft] if he came back to school.”

Beal is the most notable entrant in this year’s supplemental draft, but Virginia Tech cornerback Adonis Alexander and Mississippi State defensive back Brandon Bryant have also drawn the attention of clubs. After talking with scouts, Paylor estimates that Alexander will be selected in the fifth or sixth round and hears Bryant may go in the sixth or seventh round. Oregon State linebacker Bright Ugwoegbu has also entered the second chance draft, but his odds of being selected are unclear at this time.

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