Brendan Sorsby wouldn’t be 1st Cardinals QB taken from supplemental draft

The NFL Supplemental Draft instantly became a hot topic this week after Brendan Sorsby opted to apply for it and forgo an ongoing legal battle over his college eligibility.

The Arizona Cardinals were quickly mentioned among the handful of quarterback-needy teams as a potential landing spot for the quarterback prospect in the draft, which could be held next month if Sorsby or other players are deemed eligible.

Arizona is also expected to attend Sorsby’s pro day on July 10 in Southlake, Texas.

But while the supplemental draft is far less notable than the traditional NFL Draft in April, the Cardinals have gone to that well a few times in the past. They’ve even come away with a quarterback.

A look at the players the Cardinals brought over through the supplemental draft, starting with a multi-year starter who signed elsewhere this offseason:

Cardinals’ NFL Supplemental Draft history

2019: Jalen Thompson, S

Round taken: Fifth

Jalen Thompson represents the last player taken in the supplemental draft back in 2019. Only one other supplemental draft has been held since (2023), though no players were selected.

The safety, who was deemed ineligible for his senior year at Washington State for a rules violation, ended up starting 87 of 99 career games for the Cardinals.

He and Budda Baker made up a formidable safety tandem before Thompson’s departure to the Dallas Cowboys through free agency this offseason.

1990: Willie Williams, OT

Round taken: Ninth

As the Phoenix Cardinals, the franchise used a ninth-round pick on offensive tackle Willie Williams.

He didn’t play for the team in 1990 but appeared in 16 games (three starts) the following season.

The lineman then played for the New Orleans Saints in 1994 before joining the World League of American Football’s Amsterdam Admirals in 1996 and Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts from 1997-98.

1989: Timm Rosenbach, QB

Round taken: First

Phoenix shelled out a first-round pick in 1989 for Washington State quarterback Timm Rosenbach, who bypassed the traditional draft in hopes of being selected higher.

Rosenbach started one game as a rookie and played in two. In Year 2, he started every game for Phoenix, completing 54.2% of his throws for 3,098 yards and 16 touchdowns to 17 interceptions. He went 5-11 as the starter that year.

The quarterback didn’t play in 1991 because of a knee injury before returning for eight games (three starts) in 1992. He recorded zero touchdowns to six picks and went 0-3 as a starter.

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