Packers Pass on Making Pick in NFL Supplemental Draft

Packers don't select anyone in the NFL Supplemental Draft. 

It has been over 20 years since the Green Bay Packers have made a selection in the NFL's Supplemental Draft and despite showing interest in a few of the eligible prospects this year, the organization decided to pass once again. 

The top prospect available to be drafted in the Supplemental Draft Wednesday was former Washington State safety Jalen Thompson. However, he ended up getting selected in the fifth round by the Arizona Cardinals. 

Thompson seemed to be in line for a big season at Washington State after being a three-year starter, however, after testing positive for a banned substance he said he bought over the counter, he declared for the Supplemental draft.

Thompson is a 6-foot,190-pound safety that has proven to be productive playing for the Cougars in the Pac-12 Conference. He finished with 190 career tackles, 11.5 TFL, 17 pass breakups and six interceptions, all of which came in 2017 and 2018.

The versatile defensive back that also played plenty of snaps in the slot, could have been a valuable addition to the Packers secondary, providing even more depth to a young secondary in need. Many speculated that Thompson could be had with a fourth or fifth-round pick and that proved to be correct. Had Green Bay put in a bid with its fourth-round pick, it would have gotten Thompson. Yet, that didn't happen and he went to Arizona instead. It's not clear if the Packers also put in a fifth-round bid or not.  

With his ability to play in the slot, it would have been easy to see him earning a spot on the 53-man roster and who knows, with 39 college starts under his belt, he could be ready to contribute right away.

Yet, the Packers weren't able to select him. Another player Green Bay showed interest in was West Virginia wide receiver Marcus Simms. The Packers reportedly attended one of his workouts. 

Much like Thompson, Simms, who racked up more than 600 yards receiving in 2017 and 2018, entered the Supplemental Draft due to off-field issues. He has been charged with two DUIs and brings other character concerns.

Yet, with the Packers need in the secondary and at wide receiver, it made sense that the team at least explore adding Thompson and Simms, even if it ended up without either player on its roster. 

After missing the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, the Packers can't afford to ignore any type of player acquisition, which is why it was good to see GM Brian Gutekunst at least kick the tires.

Simms ended up going undrafted, which made him a free agent. It will be interesting to see if the Packers decide to try and sign him. Stay tuned. 

 

__________________________

Chris is a sports journalist from Montana and has been blogging about the Packers since 2011. Chris has been a staff writer for CheeseheadTV since 2017 and looks forward to the day when Aaron Rodgers wins his second Super Bowl. Follow him @thepackersguru

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Comments (14)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
Samson's picture

July 10, 2019 at 01:52 pm

Sounds like Gute did all his homework regarding Thompson & opted not to spend a future draft pick. -- Still gotta like that the present Pack regime practices "To leave no stone unturned". -- Another reason why you have to like the "new guys in charge".

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4thand1's picture

July 10, 2019 at 02:09 pm

I've got no complaints.

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Coldworld's picture

July 10, 2019 at 02:13 pm

We need another Young WR and one with character issues? I don’t think that is really true.

As to Thompson, he is a DB body type. I don’t know that I agree that we are short on that type. We have a number of candidates for that backup that I don’t see this player as being an obvious upgrade in depth even at FS. Thompson was known as a liability in press and close to the line, so he wouldn’t have been an obvious option as SS/box safety. I am not disappointed that we didn’t spend a 4th on him.

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PackfanNY's picture

July 10, 2019 at 02:59 pm

Did the Packers pass on Thompson or did the Cardinals win because they were ahead in the order and/or offered a 5th? Article is not clear. Maybe information is not released?. Their is a difference between trying and “passing”.

Sorry, now I see it. Article says “not clear” for 5th rounder. Pack didn’t offer 4th. Cards were ahead of Packers in order before 5th. No big deal I guess.

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Coldworld's picture

July 10, 2019 at 03:20 pm

They passed in rounds one through 4. Don’t know yet if submitted a 5th through 7th since Cardinals were higher priority.

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ChrisPeterson's picture

July 10, 2019 at 04:51 pm

At the time, I was trying to find out if the Packers put in a big for the fifth round but I hadn't heard by then. I haven't seen it anywhere that they put in a bid so my guess is that they didn't.

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TheBigCheeze's picture

July 10, 2019 at 04:05 pm

Simms was touted as having terrific foot movement....EXACTLY what the Pack needs for KO and punt returns....get this guy....

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dblbogey's picture

July 10, 2019 at 05:43 pm

Yes! He could be the next Jeff Janis.

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CoachJV's picture

July 10, 2019 at 05:03 pm

Wise move... there's no one here who's talent is worth spending a pick in advance.

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jannes bjornson's picture

July 10, 2019 at 10:53 pm

Wolf picked Wahle with a Two pick in the supplemental draft. If the talent is there get it. The future is now.

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

July 12, 2019 at 05:08 am

Actually, isn't that backwards? If awarded to GB, the Packers would have gotten the value of his play (whatever that turned out to be) and paid for it with a draft pick later.

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Bama's picture

July 10, 2019 at 05:47 pm

Neither of these players was worth spending a draft choice on, at least not for the Packers. Thompson, according to ProFootballTalk was actually 5' 10", not six feet, and 186 lbs, not 190. That is too small for an NFL S, and I believe the Packers already have talent that's better at both S and CB.

None of the other players was selected, and are now FAs. So if GB is interested in one of them, it can sign them as a minimum priced FA.

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flackcatcher's picture

July 10, 2019 at 10:19 pm

There are questions about how Thompson gained the weight, given he played around closer to 175lbs last year. Thompson does have talent, but he needs time for his body to adjust to the extra wight, if he does make a teams roster. Mostly likely FA then PS would be best of him.

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AgrippaLII's picture

July 11, 2019 at 02:01 pm

No big surprise here. The only crap shoot bigger than the NFL Draft has to be the Supplemental Draft!

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