The NFL’s compensatory draft pick formula is still taking shape, but the first step of the process is now complete.
By acquiring and losing free agents, NFL teams can mathematically decide what compensatory picks they are eligible to get. Variables such as playing time and postseason awards could raise or lower the compensation, but teams still have a rough idea of what picks they can add to their war chest. Some teams have the formula down to a science, willing to play the long game in free agency and attack it later in order to add some picks.