The New England Patriots were awarded an NFL-high four compensatory picks in the 2020 NFL Draft, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The compensatory formula grants draft picks to a team in accordance with the team’s losses in free agency in the previous season. The NFL awarded two third-round picks (98th and 100th) and two sixth round picks (212th and 213th).
Because New England sustained significant departures during the 2019 free agency, they have the biggest haul in this year’s distribution of compensatory picks. The Patriots’ most notable free agent losses were Trey Flowers (Detroit Lions), Trent Brown (Oakland Raiders), Malcom Brown (New Orleans Saints) and Cordarrelle Patterson (Chicago Bears). New England’s continued influx of compensatory picks seems to be a part of their team-building process, with Belichick swapping expensive veterans for prospects whose earnings are limited by the rookie wage scale.
Here’s a look at all the team’s picks this year, with the compensatory picks in bold.
- Round 1, No. 23 overall
- Round 3, No. 87 overall
- Round 3, No. 98 overall
- Round 3, No. 100 overall
- Round 4, No. 125 overall
- Round 6, No. 198 overall
- Round 6, No. 207 overall
- Round 6, No. 212 overall
- Round 6, No. 213 overall
- Round 7, No. 233 overall
- Round 7, No. 238 overall
- Round 7, No. 244 overall
The draft takes place from April 23 to April 25 in Las Vegas.
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