All articles tagged with #compensatory picks
The Steelers have applied the UFA tender to Aaron Rodgers, giving them exclusive negotiating rights and potential compensation if he signs with another team; the tender is worth 110% of his 2025 salary (about $15 million), effectively locking in Rodgers’ 2026 status (or retirement) and preserving Pittsburgh’s quarterback options as they head into OTAs and minicamp with Rudolph, Howard, and Drew Allar in the mix.
The Steelers applied an unrestricted free-agent tender to Aaron Rodgers, a quiet, strategic move that locks in a 2026 salary above $15 million, restricts Rodgers’ late-season options, and signals the team may be prepared to move on if Rodgers doesn’t clearly commit to returning, while preserving leverage in potential trade scenarios.
San Francisco heads into the 2026 NFL Draft with six picks (27, 58, and four fourth-rounders) after an active offseason, but their signings appear to cancel out any compensatory picks in 2027, a rare situation for the franchise, with Jauan Jennings still unsigned and the clock ticking toward the April 27 deadline.
Rasheed Walker remains unsigned as the top left tackle candidate, with Schefter saying the market is thin and he’s likely to accept a one-year deal to re-enter free agency next year; this path could still affect Green Bay’s compensatory-pick outlook in 2027, depending on the deal’s value, as the Packers have three compensatory picks projected and have already signed St-Juste, Hargrave, and Skyy Moore.
A value ranking places the Indianapolis Colts last in the 2026 NFL Draft, with the lowest total and average pick value; the Raiders top overall, while the Titans have the best average value.
Jaguars GM James Gladstone says the team will prioritize compensatory draft picks over signing expensive free agents, banking on added draft capital (three 2027 picks: 4th for Devin Lloyd, 5th for Travis Etienne, 6th for Greg Newsome) to trade for veterans and keep offseason options open, rather than big spenders this year.
The Steelers kicked off the 2026 tampering period by trading for Michael Pittman Jr. and signing Rico Dowdle, while losing Kenneth Gainwell and James Pierre. With compensatory picks boosting draft flexibility, GM Omar Khan is leaning toward a draft-focused retooling rather than another big free-agent splash, aiming to build a younger roster around Pittman and DK Metcalf under coach Mike McCarthy.
Dallas now owns eight selections in the 2026 NFL Draft after trading Osa Odighizuwa to the 49ers and Solomon Thomas to the Titans: two first-rounders (12th and 20th overall), a 3rd (92nd), a 4th (112th), three 5th-rounders (152nd, 177th compensatory, 180th compensatory), and a 7th (218th). Previous moves included trading a 2025 3rd to the Steelers for George Pickens and sending a 2026 2nd to the Jets for Quinnen Williams, with the Thomas trade swapping 7th-round picks (218 vs. 225). This marks the Cowboys’ return to having two first-round picks for the first time since 2008, ahead of the 2026 Draft in Pittsburgh (April 23-25).
The 49ers enter the 2026 NFL Draft with seven picks after receiving three compensatory fourth‑round selections (Nos. 133, 138, 139); their other selections are Round 1 No. 27, Round 2 No. 58, Round 3 No. 92, and Round 4 No. 127. The draft runs April 23–25 in Pittsburgh, with the team also experiencing several free‑agent departures and additions ahead of the event.
With 33 compensatory picks awarded to 15 teams, the full seven‑round 2026 NFL Draft order is set, and Detroit’s eight picks include a fifth‑round compensatory selection (No. 181) after losing Carlton Davis, Ifeatu Melifonwu and Kevin Zeitler and gaining Roy Lopez and D.J. Reed. Detroit’s current picks are Round 1, 17; Round 2, 18 (No. 50 overall); Round 4, 18 (118); Round 5, 17 (157); Round 5, 41 (181) — compensatory; Round 6, 24 (205) — from Jaguars; Round 6, 32 (213) — from Seahawks via Jaguars; Round 7, 6 (222) — from Browns. The draft will be held April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
The NFL released the full 2026 draft order; Detroit currently holds eight picks but is expected to gain a ninth via the David Montgomery trade, giving them a nine-pick slate that includes Round 1 Pick 17, Round 2 Pick 18, Round 4 Picks 18 and 28 (the latter via Montgomery trade), Round 5 Picks 17 and 41 (the latter compensatory), Round 6 Picks 24 (via Isaac TeSlaa trade) and 32 (via Tim Patrick trade), and Round 7 Pick 6 (via Za’Darius Smith trade). With Brad Holmes at the helm, Detroit could still move picks before/during draft weekend in Pittsburgh, April 23–25, 2026.
The Steelers are again pursuing the compensatory-pick strategy in 2025 free agency, using trades and non-compensatory signings to maximize 2027 draft value. Early moves include trading for Pittman Jr., reworking Jamel Dean’s contract to avoid comp counts, and noting departures like Kenneth Gainwell and James Pierre, with Isaac Seumalo potentially adding a fifth-round comp. If this repeats, it could steadily feed more draft capital.
On the first day of the NFL free-agency legal tampering period, the Baltimore Ravens reportedly added Maxx Crosby via trade but then saw three of their top free agents depart (Tyler Linderbaum to the Raiders, Isaiah Likely to the Giants, and Dre’Mont Jones to the Patriots), leaving a rough start and seven other top-10 free agents still potentially up for grabs. With Jesse Minter taking over as head coach, Baltimore can still chase compensatory picks to rebuild depth, but immediate impact will be challenging. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh benefits from the early noise, with the Steelers possessing cap space and signaling they’ll continue adding to their roster as the offseason progresses, potentially shifting the AFC North balance in their favor.
The Los Angeles Rams were awarded two seventh-round compensatory picks (Nos. 251 and 252) in the 2026 NFL Draft based on the league's compensatory-pick formula, which weighs players lost in free agency against those signed; Los Angeles lost defensive tackle Bobby Brown III, outside linebacker Michael Hoecht, wide receiver Demarcus Robinson and inside linebacker Christian Rozeboom in 2025, added Poona Ford and Coleman Shelton, and the draft will be held April 23–25, 2026 in Pittsburgh.
The Raiders have been awarded two compensatory picks for the 2026 NFL Draft: fourth-round No. 134 and fifth-round No. 175. Compensatory picks are awarded based on a formula that compares lost and gained free agents from the previous year; Las Vegas lost CFAes K’Lavon Chaisson, Divine Deablo, Nate Hobbs, Tre’von Moehrig, and Robert Spillane and gained Jeremy Chinn, Elandon Roberts and Eric Stokes. In total, 33 compensatory picks were awarded to 15 clubs. The 2026 Draft runs April 23 in Pittsburgh.