Isaiah Battle declares for supplemental draft

The 2015 NFL Supplemental Draft just got more interesting. For the first time since the Cleveland Browns added wide receiver Josh Gordon in the second round of the 2012 Supplemental Draft, a pick could be used in the league's silent auction style event. According to Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney, left tackle Isaiah Battle will enter this year's Supplemental Draft, and he is a prospect expected to draw interest from several teams.

A player who did not enter the regular NFL Draft, but then loses his NCAA eligibility, or has other situation arise, can petition the NFL for entry into the Supplemental Draft. Most often, the player's ineligibility stems from academic or disciplinary issues. Battle sited a family situation in his statement released through Clemson's football program, "I have some family matters to address, with a child due this summer, and I feel it is in my best interest to enter the NFL supplemental draft. I want to thank everyone at Clemson, especially Coach Swinney and the assistant coaches, for what they have done for me the last three years. I also want to thank my teammates. They have all had a big impact on my career."

Battle has had a few disciplinary issues during his time at Clemson, serving a suspension in 2013 after punching a player and a second suspension last season for an undisclosed disciplinary issue. The Clemson Insider is reporting that Battle, despite the "family matters" mentioned in his statement, was actually dismissed from the team after being cited in June for speeding and possession of marijuana. He was not arrested in the infraction.

Teams will do their homework on Battle, especially digging into the disciplinary issues. NFL media analyst Lance Zierlein has already pointed to the Denver Broncos - who lost tackle Ryan Clady to a torn ACL during this year's offseason training program - and the Atlanta Falcons as possible teams to make a bid on Battle. The Miami Dolphins would be another team who could consider taking a look, especially as a depth option at left tackle as Branden Albert returns from his own knee injury.

Battle played 27 games for Clemson, with 16 starts, in three seasons.

If any team were to decide to bid on Battle, they indicate to the NFL in which round of the supplemental draft they would like to exercise their pick. the league would then collect all the bids, and award Battle to the team which bid the earliest round. The league also sets a draft order, similar to the order used in the regular draft back in May, but does change some things, though they usually do not release the final order. That order would be used if two or more teams elect to use a pick in the same round on Battle; which ever team has the earliest pick in the round would win Battle's rights.

Which ever team is then awarded Battle would lose their pick from the corresponding round in the 2016 NFL Draft.

West Georgia defensive tackle Dalvon Stuckey, West Georgia defensive end Darrius Caldwell and North Carolina Central wide receiver Adrian Wilkins have also declared for the Supplemental Draft. If any of the available players are not selected, they would immediately become undrafted free agents, free to sign with any team in the league.