Linebacker Ahmed Brooks of the University of Virginia was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in today's NFL Supplemental Draft. Brooks, as recently as two seasons ago after his sophomore season at UVA, was thought to be a likely first round pick in the draft. Injuries, lack of conditioning, and off the field problems put a damper on his junior season, however, he was expected to return for his senior season to improve his NFL stock. UVA head coach Al Groh apparently had other ideas, as he kicked Brooks off of the team a few months ago.
The Bengals picked Brooks up with the use of a third round pick. The use of the pick in the Supplemental Draft will prevent them from having a third round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. The Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers were also reportedly interested.
If thinking about the NFL Supplemental Draft makes you wonder whether or not any real stars have ever emerged from the process, check out this article from
Eric Moneypenny of FoxSports.com. The top five players taken in the history of the NFL Supplemental Draft, according to Moneypenny:
- QB Bernie Kosar of the University of Miami (selected by Cleveland in the 1st round in 1985)
- WR Chris Carter of the Ohio State University (selected by Philadelphia in the 4th round in 1987)
- a.) DT Jamal Williams of Oklahoma State University (selected by San Diego in the 4th round in 1998)
b.) OL Mike Wahle of the Naval Academy (selected by Green Bay in the 4th round in 1998)
- RB Bobby Humphrey of the University of Alabama (selected by Denver in the 1st round in 1989)
- WR Rob Moore of Syracuse University (selected by the New York Jets in the 1st round in 1990)
Time will tell whether or not Brooks becomes another success story, like Bernie Kosar or Chris Carter. Or if he becomes another flop, like Dave Brown, the Duke quarterback that the Giants used their first round pick on in the 1992 supplemental draft.
