The NFL is well-known for its technical complexity. Around draft weekend, fans are often left wondering what exactly a compensatory draft pick is.
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The NFL draft kicked off yesterday in extraordinary fashion. After a year’s gap due to the COVID pandemic, fans returned to draft in Cleveland, ready to boo Roger Goodell every chance they got.
It just felt like the NFL draft again. The big storyline from the 1st round was the Bears trading up to snatch Justin Fields. Chicago maneuvered the move excellently, acquiring the Ohio State signal caller without giving up too much draft capital in return.
Moreover, the Crimson Tide players had a historic night. 6 Alabama players, including Mac Jones and DeVonta Smith, were selected in the first round.
As we move into Day 2 and 3, a new concept is introduced: compensatory draft picks. It may not seem like the most exciting thing ever, but keep in mind that Tom Brady was picked using a compensatory selection.
What is a Compensatory Draft Pick in the NFL?
Before the draft, the league awards teams who have lost better or more compensatory free agents than they have acquired with compensatory picks. The picks are positioned after the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th round of the draft.
The picks are awarded on the basis of the value, decided by salary, playing time, and postseason honors, of the free agents lost. No team will be awarded more than 4 compensatory picks, however they can be traded.
For example, this year the Dallas Cowboys have the most compensatory picks (4) after losing free agents like Byron Jones and Jason Witten.
33 picks were awarded for this reason in 2o21. Additionally, a new rule also awards picks for teams that hired minority coaches and GMs. Including both types, 37 compensatory picks were given out to 17 teams this draft.
List of Compensatory Picks in 2021
Round 3
96. New England Patriots
97. Los Angeles Chargers
98. New Orleans Saints
99. Dallas Cowboys
100. Tennessee Titans
101. Los Angeles Rams
102. San Francisco 49ers
103. Los Angeles Rams
104. Baltimore Ravens
105. New Orleans Saints
Round 4
138. Dallas Cowboys
139. New England Patriots
140. Pittsburgh Steelers
141. Los Angeles Rams
142. Green Bay Packers
143. Minnesota Vikings
144. Kansas City Chiefs
Round 5
177. New England Patriots
178. Green Bay Packers
179. Dallas Cowboys
180. San Francisco 49ers
181. Kansas City Chiefs
182. Atlanta Falcons
183. Atlanta Falcons
184. Baltimore Ravens
Round 6
217. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
218. New Orleans Saints
219. Atlanta Falcons
220. Green Bay Packers
221. Chicago Bears
222. Carolina Panthers
223. Minnesota Vikings
224. Philadelphia Eagles
225. Philadelphia Eagles
226. Carolina Panthers
227. Dallas Cowboys
228. Chicago Bears