For teams such as the Baltimore Ravens, who have lost several players to free agency, compensatory draft picks can be a savior. Compensatory selections have been awarded to teams since the 1994 season to teams that lose either a bulk of players, or talented players to free agency from the previous year. The formula used to determine the round in which the selection will fall is “based on salary, playing time and postseason honors.”
Other factors playing into the determination of these valuable selections is the net total of free agents lost versus the amount of free agents required. For example, if a team loses 4 free agents, and signs 2, the team should expect two compensatory choices. However, no NFL team can receive more than four picks.
A complete list of the awarded compensatory picks is listed below:
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Atlanta Falcons, (4 picks): Round 4 & Round 7 (x3)
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Baltimore Ravens, (4 picks): Round 4, 5, 6, 7
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San Francisco 49ers, (3 picks): Round 4, Round 7 (x2)
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Tennessee Titans, (3 picks): Round 3, 6, 7
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Cincinnati Bengals, (2 picks): Round 7 (x2)
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Detroit Lions, (2 picks): Round 4, 7
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Houston Texans, (2 picks): Round 3, 7
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Kansas City Chiefs, (2 picks): Round 3, 6
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Miami Dolphins, (2 picks): Round 5, 7
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Seattle Seahawks, (2 picks): Round 7 (x2)
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Green Bay Packers, (1 pick): Round 5
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Oakland Raiders, (1 pick): Round 6
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Pittsburgh Steelers, (1 pick): Round 6
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Green Bay Packers, (1 pick): Round 7
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Philadelphia Eagles, (1 pick): Round 7
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New York Giants, (1 pick): Round 7
As you can see, the 2013 season is an example of the rich getting richer as a result of receiving compensatory draft selections. Baltimore, fresh off a Super Bowl win in New Orleans, will be receiving four draft choices as a result of last year’s losses. Even the Super Bowl runner-up 49ers will receive three picks after their solid season.
Other Playoff teams standing to benefit from receiving multiple picks are the Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, and Seattle Seahawks. If they are able to partner compensatory picks in a trade for a high pick in the earlier rounds, that dynamic player could be the difference maker to push these competitive teams over the edge when the NFL Draft kicks off on April 25.
Looking ahead into 2014, some similar names figure to be receiving compensation for their poor free agencies thus far. Teams like Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Oakland, and Houston jump out as the most likely candidates to receive high compensation for their losses.
