NFL Supplemental Draft 2014: Will the Browns Make a Selection?

Two years ago, the Cleveland Browns scored WR Josh Gordon in the second round of the supplemental draft. Will they, or any other teams in the NFL, be able to strike gold in 2014?

The 2014 NFL Supplemental Draft takes place on Thursday, July 10th, at 1:00 PM ET. If you haven't heard about it until today, then that's probably a reflection of the lack of high-profile prospects in this year's eligible players. In total, there are four eligible players:

• RB Traylon Shead (SMU) - 6-2, 230 lbs.
  
• WR Chase Clayton (New Mexico) - 6-3, 202 lbs.
  
• DT Lakendrick Ross (Virginia-Lynchburg) - 6-5, 360 lbs.
  
• LB Darius Lipford (UNC) - 6-3, 255 lbs.

I haven't had time to do research on these prospects, but thankfully, Mike Huguenin of NFL.com has, and so have Rob Rang and Dane Brugler over at CBS Sprorts. Clayton really hasn't seen much action as a receiver, but had a good year as a kick returner in 2012, and I don't think the Browns are looking to add an unproven receiver. Shead has missed time due to injuries, and Cleveland is already well stocked in youthful running backs with potential (Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell). Lipford was expected to start for UNC this season, but it sounds like he's opting to enter the supplemental draft instead. He was expected to play MLB for the Tar Heels this coming season.

Ross seems like the most interesting prospect, based on sheer size alone. Even at his size, he can dunk a basketball. The Browns do mysteriously only have 89 players on their roster, and it's been that way for a couple of weeks. However, Cleveland reportedly was not one of the 12 teams to attend his Pro Day, and the deepest position on the Browns is the defensive line.

Here is how the supplemental draft process works:

Unlike the televised April draft, the supplemental is carried out via e-mail among teams. The teams, slotted into three groups based on their won/loss percentage the previous year, contact the league with a list of the players they would draft and the round in which they would take them. Any team that uses a supplemental draft pick would then lose the corresponding selection in the next year's draft. The selection order will be determined shortly before the draft and has not historically been released to the public.

Players who are not selected will become free agents. What do you think, Browns fans? Are there any prospects you are interested in Cleveland making a run for?