Category: 2025 NFL Draft

Saints enter the mix for a 2025 comp pick thanks to Isaac Yiadom

The Saints entered the mix for a 2025 compensatory draft pick thanks to Isaac Yiadom. But they haven’t locked it in just yet:

The New Orelans Saints could be in play for a 2025 compensatory draft selection after the San Francisco 49ers signed away cornerback Isaac Yiadom this offseason according to OverTheCap’s Nick Korte.

After being a career journeyman that had not found much time on the field in the past few years, Yiadom found a resurgence in New Orleans. Once Marshon Lattimore went down with a midseason injury, Yiadom was called on to pick up the slack and he did more than just be a replacement-level player. He was very solid this year with the Saints and earned a bigger contract in San Francisco, reportedly worth $3 million.

The Saints currently own their first six draft picks in 2025. Their own seventh round draft selection was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in the C.J. Gardner-Johnson trade. Adding a seventh-round compensatory pick would essentially bring things back to default for New Orleans. With more free agents still out there it remains to be seen whether the Saints will earn a comp pick or outweigh it by signing more players.

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Signing Chase Young likely takes Saints out of the running for 2025 comp picks

The Saints have enjoyed the benefits of comp picks in recent years, but signing Chase Young makes it unlikely they’ll see any in 2025:

It was fun while it lasted. The New Orleans Saints have enjoyed the benefits of compensatory draft picks in recent years, but signing Chase Young makes it unlikely they’ll see any extra picks in 2025. Few teams have received as many comp picks as the Saints over the last four draft cycles, owing to their losses in free agency:

  • 2021: Comp picks in rounds three (Nos. 98 and 105) and six (218)
  • 2022: Comp picks in round three (Nos. 98 and 101)
  • 2023: Comp pick in round seven (No. 257)
  • 2024: Comp picks in round five (Nos. 168, 170, and 175)

Remember, comp pics are awarded based on free agents lost against those signed in the previous offseason. And before the Saints signed Young, they were breaking even according to the analysts at Over The Cap who predict comp picks every year. After signing Young, it’s unlikely the Saints will lose any qualifying free agents who would balance him out.

Here’s where the Saints stand:

  • Players lost: Malcolm Roach (7th round), Lonnie Johnson Jr. (DNQ), Zack Baun (TBA), and Isaac Yiadom (TBA)
  • Players gained: Chase Young (4th round) Willie Gay Jr. (7th round), Nathan Peterman (TBA), Zander Horvath (DNQ)

So unless Baun and Yiadom each signed qualifying offers (which seems unlikely, as their agencies would have bragged about it by now) then we should assume they won’t factor in. And the list of qualifying players is wearing down quickly.

Remember, no players who were released — like Michael Thomas and Jameis Winston, or Marcus Maye — qualify for comp picks. Neither do players whose contracts were shortened after signing, as was the case with Andrus Peat. Which means the Saints would need someone like Johnathan Abram, Ugo Amadi, Keith Kirkwood, or Max Garcia to sign a really nice free agent contract in order to tip the scales back in their favor.

And don’t bet on that. Odds are strong that the Saints will sign a couple more  qualifying free agents than they’ll lose while working to address their problems this offseason. For now, they have plenty of draft picks stored up for 2025 (everything but a seventh rounder going to the Philadelphia Eagles, who else, as part of last year’s C.J. Gardner-Johnson trade).

It would be nice to pad that out with a couple of comp picks, but at this point it just doesn’t seem likely. Maybe Young plays out of his mind this season and signs a lucrative contract somewhere else in 2025, which could bring back a good comp pick in 2026.

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Little potential for compensatory draft picks in the Saints’ 2025 forecast

Experts see little potential for compensatory draft picks in the Saints’ 2025 forecast. Mickey Loomis must make the most of his choices in 2024:

It’s been good to see the New Orleans Saints changing their valuation of compensatory draft picks in recent years. Acquiring extra draft picks in exchange for losing free agents to other teams has worked out for them. Just look at their past history:

  • 2021: Comp picks in rounds three (Nos. 98 and 105) and six (218)
  • 2022: Comp picks in rounds three (Nos. 98 and 101)
  • 2023: Comp pick in round seven (No. 257)

And while the Saints expect to continue that trend in 2024 (they’re projected to receive three extra picks in the fifth round, per Over The Cap) the forecast for 2025 isn’t looking very favorable. Remember, teams are awarded comp picks in the following year’s draft based off the current year’s free agency results. And New Orleans simply lacks many players who are seen as desirable qualifiers.

OTC’s Nick Korte explains:

The Saints remain devoted to keeping core players on their roster, no matter how much they amortize the cap dollars associated with their contracts to do so. This regularly leaves them with few CFA worthy players hitting free agency. But on the other hand, filling up on incumbent players also tends to make them avoid free agency. In the past couple of seasons this has generated some comp picks for them, but typically they do not care much about them, and this could be one of those seasons where they revert to their mean.

Many of the Saints’ top players expected to become available will not qualify for the comp picks formula: guys like Jameis Winston, Michael Thomas, and Andrus Peat. It’s possible that backups on defense earn better opportunities and higher salaries elsewhere, but any signings the Saints make could balance out the losses (and possible comp picks) for defensive tackle Malcolm Roach, linebacker Zack Baun, or cornerback Isaac Yiadom.

So that means the Saints must make the most of their comp picks while they have them. And fans should expect them to be traded. The Saints have traded every comp pick they’ve received in the last three years:

  • Both third-round comp picks in 2021 were packaged in a trade to move up and pick cornerback Paulson Adebo
  • The seventh-round comp pick in 2021 was traded in a move up for offensive tackle Landon Young
  • Both third-round comp picks in 2022 were traded; No. 98 was used to move up for wide receiver Chris Olave, while No. 101 was traded in the package of picks used to get another first rounder, which became left tackle Trevor Penning
  • And the seventh-round comp pick in 2023 was packaged with tight end Adam Trautman in a trade up, targeting wide receiver A.T. Perry

So this tells us that Saints general manager Mickey Loomis tends to view comp picks as trade ammunition more than anything else. He’s known as an aggressive wheeler-and-dealer on draft day, and recent history lays out his go-to strategy very clearly. We’ll see if the trend continues in 2024, but the Saints may not have the promise of extra picks to lean on in 2025, depending on how free agency plays out this March.

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15 free agents the Ravens can sign that don’t count against compensatory picks

We’re looking at 15 free agents the Baltimore Ravens can sign that don’t count against compensatory picks for 2025

The NFL’s new league is less than a week away. With the legal tampering period scheduled to start on Monday, Baltimore will look to retool on defense while making cost-effective decisions.

All-Pro pass defensive tackle Justin Madubuike is the biggest concern this offseason after getting the franchise tag, but the Ravens must also navigate 26 looming free agents.

GM Eric DeCosta has clarified that he’s prepared to lose several key starters and retool via the draft with a handful of 2025 compensatory picks.

The formula is simple.

If you lose more unrestricted free agents than you sign, you are eligible for that many compensatory selections. What round they come is determined by how big their contract is.

DeCosta and other general managers can take advantage of the rule by signing players released before their contract expires. Those players don’t count toward the formula.

According to Over The Cap, plenty of players who can help the team and not detract from the formula will be available.

Here are 15 players Baltimore could sign that wouldn’t count against 2025 compensatory picks.