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Should the Denver Broncos use a pick in the 2015 Supplemental Draft?

Clemson offensive tackle Isaiah Battle figures to be selected during the supplemental draft

By Scotty Payne
Grant Halverson/Getty Images

The NFL has announced that it's annual Supplemental Draft will be held on Thursday, July 9th. No player has been selected in the NFL's Supplemental Draft since 2012 when the Cleveland Browns selected wide receiver Josh Gordon in the 2nd round.

The Supplemental draft includes a host of players who for a various of reasons were not able to be eligible for the regular NFL Draft. Some notable former Supplemental draftees include Josh Gordon, Terrelle Pryor, Ahmad Brooks, Jamal Williams, Mike Wahle, Bobby Humphrey, Cris Carter, Brian Bosworth, and Bernie Kosar.

The Supplemental draft works like this. Every team can place a bid on a player, and the highest bidder wins the rights to the player. The bid is the round you decide to select the player in. However, the winner loses the corresponding pick in the 2016 draft.

One player who is generating the most interest in this year's draft is former Clemson offensive tackle Isaiah Battle. He released an official statement and listed "family matters" as the reason why he's entering the Supplemental draft.

"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,"

So let's take a look at offensive tackle Isaiah Battle.

Name: Isaiah Battle 
Position: OT
Height: 6'6   Weight: 326
Age: 22  
Experience: Rookie
College: Clemson

Battle played a total of 27 games at Clemson and started 16 of those games. He played both left and right tackle at Clemson but looks to be a left tackle in the NFL. 

Like most Supplemental draft entries, Battle comes with some off the field troubles. In 2013, he was suspended for one game for punching an NC State defensive back during the game. Earlier this month Battle was pulled over for speeding and was caught with simple possession of marijuana and given a citation

Despite his off the field issues, Battle does have some intriguing on the field skills that figures to interest a number on NFL teams. He's long, rangy, and moves rather well for a man of his size.

Battle has scheduled a Pro Day for July 7th so we will get a better look at his measurables and athleticism there.

One AFC Scout said that Battle has a bit of upside to him, but will need a year or two of seasoning before becoming a starter.

"He's got good range, moves well for a big man,'' an AFC scout said. "He just needs to get stronger, both in the upper body and lower body. You watch his games last year and he was a lot better at the end of the season than he was at the beginning. There's some upside there. Now, if you're looking for a guy to come in and start right away, I don't know that. But if you're OK with him for a year, maybe two, you might have something really good.''

Film room:

Should the Broncos have interest in Battle?:

I believe they should have some.

After losing left tackle Ryan Clady for the year with an ACL injury the Broncos offensive tackle situation is not that great. They have the likes of Chris Clark, Michael Schofield and Ryan Harris as potential starters at right tackle and second-round pick Ty Sambrailo penciled in as the starter at left tackle. So adding a player with the upside of Battle should at least be an option.

His off the field issues are what concern me. He punched a player in 2013 and was recently received a citation for marijuana. If the Broncos dig into his past and come away feeling good about him like they did with Shane Ray they could have interest.

The other question here is if you are going to place a bid, when are you going to do it?

Various reports have placed his value in the third or fourth round of the Supplemental Draft. How Battle performs and interviews during his Pro Day will give us a better idea about his value.

So I ask you MHR, do you think the Broncos should have some level of interest in Isaiah Battle, and do you want the Broncos to place a bid on him?

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