Five best supplemental draft picks in NFL history

The NFL supplemental draft is returning on July 11 after a three-year hiatus.

Since its inception in 1976, 46 players have been taken in the supplemental draft, eight of whom became Pro Bowlers and one of whom a Hall of Famer. Here is a look at the five best players to come out of the supplemental draft:

1. Cris Carter, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

A fourth-round pick of the Eagles in the 1987 supplemental draft, Carter went on to become one of the best receivers in NFL history. After spending three years in Philly, Carter really came into his own once he joined the Minnesota Vikings, where he was a three-time All-Pro selection, an eight-time Pro Bowler and a member of the NFL 1990's All-Decade Team.

He had his first 1,000-yard season in 1993 (1,071 yards), which started a run of eight straight years with 1,000 or more receiving yards. He also had seven seasons with 80 or more receptions and six seasons with double-digit touchdowns. Carter ranks fourth all-time in league history for touchdown receptions (130), sixth in receptions (1,101) and 13th in receiving yards (13,899).

2. Bernie Kosar, QB, Cleveland Browns

The No. 1 pick of the 1985 supplemental draft, Kosar was a highly-sought-after prospect out of the University of Miami. He declared for the NFL Draft after his second year in college (citing an early graduation) and was given the choice of declaring for the traditional draft, in which the Vikings held the No. 1 pick, or the supplemental draft, in which the Browns held the No. 1 pick. Kosar, an Ohio native who grew up a Browns fan, chose the supplemental draft.

He went on to throw for 23,301 yards, 124 touchdowns and 87 interceptions over his 13-year NFL career, one that included stints with the Browns, Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys. He was a two-time Pro Bowler and won a Super Bowl in Dallas while working as Troy Aikman’s backup in 1994.

3. Jamal Williams, DT, Los Angeles Chargers

Selected by the Chargers in the second round of the 1998 supplemental draft, Williams turned in a 13-year NFL career that included three All-Pro and three Pro Bowl selections, as well as a spot in the Chargers Hall of Fame and on the franchise's 50th Anniversary Team.

Williams ended his career having logged 443 tackles (55 for loss), 13 sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one defensive touchdown. The Chargers had a top-1o run defense in seven of Williams’ 12 seasons with the team.

4. Ahmad Brooks, LB, Cincinnati Bengals

A third-round pick out of Virginia by the Bengals in the 2006 supplemental draft, Brooks spent two seasons in Cincy before joining the San Francisco 49ers, where he made a name for himself as a dominant linebacker.

Brooks totaled 335 tackles, 88 QB hits, 71 tackles for loss, 51.5 sacks, 28 passes defensed, three fumble recoveries and three interceptions as a key cog in the middle of the 49ers defense. He was a two-time second-team All-Pro performer and made one Pro Bowl.

5. Rob Moore, WR, New York Jets

The Jets took Moore in the first round of the 1990 supplemental draft and he began paying dividends for the offense almost immediately. He recorded 50 or more receptions and 700 or more receiving yards in four of his first five NFL seasons, including his breakout season in 1994 when he topped 1,000 yards for the first time.

Moore joined the Cardinals the following year and had two more 1,000-yard seasons while setting career highs in receptions (97), yards (1,584) and touchdowns (eight) in 1997. Moore was named to one All-Pro team and two Pro Bowls. Among Cardinals WRs, he still ranks 10th all-time in receiving yards and touchdowns while placing 12th in receptions.

Honorable mention: Josh Gordon, WR, Cleveland Browns