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According to a report from NFL Draft Diamonds, twelve teams were in attendance at the workout of LaKendrick Ross, including the Indianapolis Colts. The defensive end out of Virginia University of Lynchburg is eligible for the 2014 Supplemental Draft.
Ross was ruled ineligible for the 2014 and so became available for the Supplemental Draft, and he's an intriguing guy with a ton of size - measuring in at 6-4, 366 pounds, Ross looks the part of an intriguing Supplemental Draft prospect, and he has some athletic ability to go with the size. But how is he as a player, and is he worth giving up a pick in the Supplemental Draft for? Here's what SB Nation's NFL Draft expert, Dan Kadar, told me about Ross via twitter:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/Coltsfanwilson">@Coltsfanwilson</a> Stiff, slow, stands up off the snap. Long shot at best.</p>— Dan Kadar (@MockingTheDraft) <a href="https://twitter.com/MockingTheDraft/statuses/486688575413420032">July 9, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/Coltsfanwilson">@Coltsfanwilson</a> Wouldn't give up anything unless you have a stockpile of seventh-round picks that will let you burn your own.</p>— Dan Kadar (@MockingTheDraft) <a href="https://twitter.com/MockingTheDraft/statuses/486688882470047745">July 9, 2014</a></blockquote>
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The Colts currently have one pick in each round of next year's draft, so they don't exactly fit the scenario Kadar was mentioning. Could they give up something for him if they really like his potential? Absolutely, and we know that there is at least some interest there for the Colts to attend his workout. With the Colts' current situation at defensive line, they don't need to add anybody else, but at the same time there would be room if they liked someone enough. Cory Redding, Arthur Jones, and Ricky Jean Francois are there, as are guys like Josh Chapman, Montori Hughes, Jeris Pendleton, and Brandon McKinney. While there would be room for Ross, there isn't a need to add defensive linemen. Ultimately, what it comes down to is whether the Colts would rather have Ross or a late pick in next year's draft, and I think I'd rather have the pick, honestly. While there is great intrigue with the size, I'm not sure the talent level is such that I'd give up a pick in the Supplemental Draft for him. It seems much more likely to me that the Colts would not submit a pick, hope he goes undrafted, and then consider bringing him in for training camp
In addition to the Colts, the Eagles, Chiefs, Rams, Niners, Cardinals, Bears, Raiders, Texans, Falcons, Patriots and one other unnamed team were in attendance at the workout, via NFL Draft Diamonds. Basically, the Supplemental Draft often involves players ruled ineligible for the upcoming season but without enough notice to declare for the regular draft - while that's not always the case, it seems to often be the one. Teams submit their "bid" for the player by offering a pick in a certain round, and if no other team offers a pick for a higher round, then the team is awarded the player. If the player is not drafted, then they can be signed as a free agent much like undrafted free agents in the regular draft. The most recent and notable player selected in the Supplemental Draft was wide receiver Josh Gordon, who the Browns used a second round pick on to get.