The NFL’s supplemental draft took place on Tuesday, ending a three-year absence of the event. As many expected, no teams took the opportunity to make an addition to their rosters, however. 
Neither Malachi Wideman nor Milton Wright were drafted, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (Twitter link). As a result, both wideouts are now unrestricted free agents, as is the case with players who are not selected in the spring entry draft.
The announcement of the supplemental draft’s return came roughly one month ago, amidst little fanfare. The 2023 edition marked the first since 2019, and instances of notable players being selected have generally been few and far between. Wideman held a Pro Day in an attempt to garner interest from NFL teams, but that effort was not sufficient to earn him a selection today.
Teams acquire players in supplemental drafts by bidding on them; succesful bids cost them a selection in the equivalent round of the subsequent entry draft. Both Wideman and Wright applied for eligibility for the supplemental draft after being deemed academically ineligible for the 2022 college season. That missed time cost them the opportunity to take part in April’s draft, though today’s news demonstrates it was unlikely they would have been selected at that point.
It will be interesting to monitor how much interest either player receives as a free agent with teams not willing to spend draft capital to acquire them. A deal in time for training camp could allow them the opportunity to at least compete for a practice squad role. Failing that, the XFL and USFL have demonstrated in recent years an ability to give players a pathway back to the NFL via impressive play during the spring.
Between 2010 and 2019, a total of eight players were selected in supplemental drafts. That list includes the likes of quarterback Terrelle Pryor and receiver Josh Gordon, along with current Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson. Further additions to the summer draft alumni will have to wait until at least next year, however.
This is devastating news! Now I’ll have to spend days devising an alternate fantasy team strategy.
Now they can just be signed as undrafted free agents. Any team interested can bring them in for a workout and sign them to the practice squad. Easier than spending draft capital.
I’m glad a fee guys got a contract out of this (over the years) but seriously it’s a waste of time.
I’m sure they will probably get tryouts as UDFAs since camps are just about to open. Wideman’s basketball background and 6’5″ height will garner him some interest.
Should just say F the NCAA and let these kids be in the normal draft.
It’s generally not a good idea to bite the hand that feeds you. A big hurdle to Goodell expanding the NFL into Europe is that there is no talent pool over there comparable to the NCAA.
But what other hand would the NCAA wish to feed?