The NFL doles out compensatory draft picks every year based on a formula that gives extra picks to teams that lost more or better free agents than they signed in the previous offseason.
This year’s picks have been announced with 33 picks divvied up among 13 teams. The Cowboys, Patriots and 49ers lead the way with four picks each while the Ravens, Browns, Broncos and Seahawks each netted three picks. These picks cannot be traded, although that rule will change in 2017 so that teams can make deals with picks they receive for not making deals to hold onto their own players.
All of the picks will come between the third and sixth rounds. The Lions have the highest pick, No. 95 overall, after defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh left for Miami as a free agent last offseason. The Patriots, Seahawks and Broncos also received picks at the end of the third round.
The Ravens’ three picks move their all-time haul in compensatory selections to 47. That’s more than any other team has received by a wide margin with the Cowboys and Packers tied for second with 37 picks.
