Falcons work out player in upcoming 2019 NFL Supplemental Draft

The 2019 NFL Supplemental Draft is coming up this week, and there’s a few players who are eligible to be selected. The NFL’s Supplemental Draft is open to players who did not declare for the main draft in April, but who are still three years removed from high school. Traditionally, applicants are underclassmen who have been ruled ineligible for the upcoming college season, often due to academic or disciplinary reasons.

Syracuse LB Shyheim Cullen, West Virginia WR Marcus Simms, Saint Francis DB Bryant Perry, Blinn College TE Devonaire Clarington and Washington State S Jalen Thompson are the prospects. In franchise history, the Falcons have only selected four players in the Supplemental Draft. The players selected were WR Joey Jones (1984-1986), DT Mike McInnis (1984), DB Dennis Woodberry (1984-1988), and LB Matthew Teague (1980-1981).

LB Shyheim Cullen, Syracuse

Cullen was suspended by Syracuse University for the spring semester following academic trouble. While at Syracuse, Cullen had a career-high 31 tackles as a redshirt junior in 2018, where he started at linebacker in 4-3 formations. In 36 career games Cullen had 43 tackles, a sack and two fumble recoveries.

WR Marcus Simms, West Virginia

According to Draft Analyst Tony Pauline, scouts view Simms as a sixth round grade, and also cites character issues as something that could hurt Simms. Simms left West Virginia in April and has since decided to pursue a spot on an NFL roster. The former Mountaineer suffered an injury in the final game of 2018, and did not appear in West Virginia’s bowl game. In three years at WVU, Simms totaled 87 catches, 1,457 yards and eight touchdowns.

DB Bryant Perry, Saint Francis

Perry originally played two seasons at Mesabi Range College, where he had 55 tackles, a forced fumble, an interception and six pass breakups in 13 games. While at Saint Francis, Perry had 24 tackles and three pass breakups in seven games during the 2018 season.

TE Devonaire Clarington, Blinn College

Clarington committed to the University of Texas for the 2015 season, but due to academic reasons, he never played for the Longhorns. He spent time at Blinn Junior College before moving attending Northland Community College.

At Northland, Clarington had 48 catches, 916 yards and 11 touchdowns.

S Jalen Thompson, Washington State

According to Pro Football Talk, Jalen Thompson worked out for 26 teams, including the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons reportedly put him through position drills. Thompson has good height, and is very athletic. In the NFL, he’ll likely play as a hybrid safety or in the slot.

At Washington State, Thompson had 190 tackles, six interceptions and two forced fumbles.

The 2019 NFL Supplemental Draft will take place on July 10.