Draft Impact: NFL Awards 32 Compensatory Picks to 15 Teams

The much-awaited (and mock-draft skewing) compensatory pick list was announced by the NFL today. 

Explanation from the NFL:

Under the rules for compensatory draft selections, a team losing more or better compensatory free agents than it acquires in the previous year is eligible to receive compensatory draft picks.

The number of picks a team receives equals the net loss of compensatory free agents up to a maximum of four. Compensatory free agents are determined by a formula based on salary, playing time and postseason honors.  

Picks awarded (per the NFL press release):

Atlanta (1): Seventh (No. 249): Since they spent big on Ray Edwards, this is almost a freebie.

Baltimore (2): Fourth (No. 130) and Fifth (No. 169): Dawan Landry was the biggest free agent they lost, and he was replaced well by Bernard Pollard. Josh Wilson was solid for Washington, but the Ravens covered his loss with Lardarius Webb, Cary Williams and Jimmy Smith. Big win for them.

Buffalo (1): Seventh (No. 251): Losing Paul Posluszny seemed like a big deal, but this pick reflects that it wasn't after all.

Carolina (1): Sixth (No. 207): Richard Marshall and Matt Moore were good players for their new teams, so this makes sense.

Cleveland (4): Two sixths (No. 204, 205), two sevenths (No. 245, 247): The team didn't really lose any key pieces, but they did let a lot of decent players walk. Now, with 13 picks in all, the team has no excuse for not trading up when a target is falling farther than expected.

Dallas (1): Fourth (No. 135): Thank Dan Snyder for overpaying for Stephen Bowen.

Green Bay (4): Two fourths (No. 132, 133), two sevenths (No. 241, 243): Certainly, Daryn Colledge and Cullen Jenkins were missed, but the 2011 team was still the No. 1 regular season club. Now, the team's natural picks (compensatory picks can't be traded) have to be seen as ammunition to make sure they get the OLB to play opposite Clay Matthews, who they moved up for in 2009 draft.

Indianapolis (3): Fifth (No. 170), sixth (No. 206), seventh (No. 253): The Colts get three extra picks because they lost Clint Session and Charlie Johnson, which is music to the ears of new GM Ryan Grigson and head coach Chuck Pagano. They can add three more of "their guys" to advance the building of the team in their image.

Minnesota (2): Two fourths (No. 128, 134): Ray Edwards was a dud for Atlanta, and Sidney Rice was injury-prone yet again, so this is almost a reward for being prudent.

New York Giants (1): Fourth (No. 131): Two of the free agents they lost, Steve Smith and Kevin Boss, didn't even last more than one year with their new teams. Jerry Reese wins again.

New York Jets (4): Two sixths (No 202, 203), two sevenths (No. 242, 244): Braylon Edwards, Shaun Ellis, Brad Smith? Only Smith really helped his new team. Gift picks.

Oakland (3): Third (No. 95), fourth (No. 129), fifth (No. 168): New GM Reggie McKenzie gets a huge break, as the Raiders had no picks in the first four rounds. Nnamdi Asomugha, Zach Miller and Robert Gallery were the biggest names lost, and they failed to have the hoped-for impact, so this is a massive win for Oakland.

Pittsburgh (3): Three sevenths (No. 240, 246, 248): Matt Spaeth and Nick Eason were expendable, so this is a boon to a cap-strapped team that could trigger another cut or two.

San Diego (1): Seventh (No. 250): This does nothing to ease the pain of seeing Darren Sproles finally reach his potential in New Orleans, just like the signings of Travis LaBoy and Takeo Spikes that lowered the value of the pick received.

St. Louis (1): Seventh (No. 252): The NFL didn't include the free agents lost/gained for the Rams, but one can assume that this covers Daniel Fells, and possibly Laurent Robinson. 

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1120080-draft-impact-nfl-awards-32-compensatory-picks-to-15-teams

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