Tag: Comp Picks

Broncos not expected to get any comp picks for 2024 NFL draft

The Broncos are not expected to receive any comp picks for the 2024 NFL draft.

The Denver Broncos are not expected to receive any compensatory draft picks in 2024 following their free-agent haul this spring.

Each year, the NFL hands out comp picks after the third round, essentially compensating teams who lost more than they gained in free agency the previous offseason.

Each team’s gains and losses in free agency are tracked by OverTheCap.com, a website that estimates potential comp picks by reviewing free agent contracts during the NFL season.

This year, Denver’s loss of Dre’Mont Jones was canceled out by the arrival of Zach Allen. The losses of Calvin Anderson and Andrew Beck were canceled out by the arrivals of Samaje Perine and Chris Manhertz, respectively.

The Broncos also gave big-money contracts to offensive linemen Mike McGlinchey and Ben Powers, and they also signed quarterback Jarrett Stidham. It safe to say Denver’s additions outweighed the team’s losses during free agency this spring.

So the Broncos are not expected to be awarded any comp picks in 2024, leaving them with six selections to use in next year’s draft.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=482983128]

Saints projected to receive multiple compensatory picks in 2024 draft

After enduring a lot of losses in free agency, the New Orleans Saints are projected to receive multiple compensatory picks in the 2024 draft:

The New Orleans Saints are projected to receive multiple compensatory picks in the 2024 draft after enduring a lot of losses in free agency. They’ve lost prominent players like defensive linemen David Onyemata (Atlanta Falcons), Marcus Davenport (Minnesota Vikings), Shy Tuttle (Carolina Panthers), and Kentavius Street (Philadelphia Eagles); linebacker Kaden Elliss (Falcons), safety Justin Evans (Eagles), offensive tackle Ethan Greenidge (Falcons), and wide receivers Marquez Callaway (Denver Broncos) and Deonte Harty (Buffalo Bills) are also playing elsewhere. So is quarterback Andy Dalton (Panthers).

Compare that to a surprisingly brief number of high-dollar new additions: defensive linemen Nathan Shepherd (New York Jets) and Khalen Saunders (Kansas City Chiefs), plus running back Jamaal Williams (Detroit Lions). The comp picks formula counts additions against subtractions in free agency, then awards future selections based on the exchange in value (which is determined by how much money is tied up in contracts and how many snaps players see on the field, among other factors). Players who sign at the veteran’s minimum like defensive backs Johnathan Abram, Lonnie Johnson Jr., Ugo Amadi, wide receiver Bryan Edwards, and right tackle Storm Norton don’t count.

So where do the Saints stand? NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein projects the Saints to receive two fourth-rounders and a sixth-round comp pick in 2024, writing:

Some of the signings/departures cancel each other out here, but the Saints are likely to receive three picks, including fourth-rounders for Davenport and Onyemata.

Teams are capped at four compensatory picks, so they may have qualified for another late-round comp pick had they chosen to not sign either Shepherd, Saunders, or Williams. But it probably would have only been a sixth- or seventh-round selection. It’s worth more to have those veterans on the team than to have another late-round pick a year from now.

We’ve got a while to wait until these comp picks are confirmed. The NFL Management Council typically announces them in early March, before the start of that year’s free agency signing period. But if these projections are accurate (Zierlein’s expected haul for the Saints matches what’s being estimated by Over The Cap’s Nick Korte), here’s what the Saints will be working with in the 2024 draft:

  • Round 1
  • Round 2 (via Denver Broncos)
  • Round 4 (compensatory for Marcus Davenport)
  • Round 4 (compensatory for David Onyemata)
  • Round 5
  • Round 6
  • Round 6 (via Philadelphia Eagles or Tennessee Titans)
  • Round 6 (compensatory for Kaden Elliss)

New Orleans has already traded several of their 2024 picks. They sent a third rounder back to Denver in the Sean Payton trade and spent a fourth rounder to get another pick in the 2023 draft from the Jacksonville Jaguars. Their seventh-round selection belongs to the Houston Texans as part of the trade that brought Mark Ingram II back to New Orleans in 2021. The Saints could move more picks to acquire veterans between now and the NFL trade deadline in November, but it’s worth noting those compensatory picks cannot be included until they’re actually awarded in March 2023.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

[stnvideo key=”QJZA6aj8yG-2724514-7618″ type=”amp”]

For now, the New Orleans Saints only own 5 picks for 2024 NFL draft

How many picks will the New Orleans Saints have in the 2024 NFL draft? They’ve already traded some future picks away, but more changes are on the way:

Yeesh. At first glance, it looks like the New Orleans Saints won’t be big players in the 2024 NFL draft. The Saints have already traded three of their initial seven picks in the 2024 draft to facilitate moves with other teams. But more changes are on the way.

For one thing, the Saints are projected to receive at least three compensatory draft picks in 2024 for losing high-profile free agents in 2023: defensive tackle David Onyemata (fourth round) and defensive end Marcus Davenport (fourth round), as well as linebacker Kaden Elliss (sixth round). Depending on how things shake out with the comp picks formula, they could get another sixth rounder, but that doesn’t appear very likely. We won’t find out until March 2024 anyway.

But the knowledge that those extra picks are coming down the pipeline helped the Saints justify their decisions to spend a little more recklessly. They sent a third-round pick in 2024 to the Denver Broncos so they could get a second rounder back while trading former head coach Sean Payton.

Then they spent a 2024 fourth-round pick to upgrade one of their seventh rounders in 2023 to a fourth rounder, targeting Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener. Depending on where the Saints slot into next year’s draft order, they could essentially get that pick back as a compensatory selection for Davenport or Onyemata. Not a bad move.

If there’s an egregious trade involving one of their 2024 picks, it was the decision to send a seventh-round selection to the Houston Texans a few years back so they could bring running back Mark Ingram II back to New Orleans. But come on. Seventh rounders are little more than lottery scratch-off tickets, and the Saints haven’t hit on one of those since they picked Marques Colston back in 2006.

But the point here is that fans shouldn’t panic over seeing so few picks lined up in next year’s draft. The Saints are expecting to get back multiple compensatory picks which will do a lot to help them reload. They’re finally valuing those extra picks in free agency the way they should have been doing in years past. Hopefully they make the most of them.

With that said, here are the picks the Saints are currently scheduled to own in 2024:

  • Round 1 (own)
  • Round 2 (via Denver Broncos)
  • Round 5 (own)
  • Round 6 (own)
  • Round 6 (via Philadelphia Eagles, either from Eagles or Tennessee Titans)

One other variable we don’t know about is whether that sixth rounder coming back from the Eagles (as part of the C.J. Gardner-Johnson trade last summer) will be the lower of their two selections, depending on where Philadelphia and Tennessee end up picking in the draft order.

Additionally, here are the picks they’re currently scheduled to make in the following years:

  • 2025: Rounds 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
  • 2026: Rounds 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

[stnvideo key=”pahxNoVopr-2714582-7618″ type=”amp”]

Eagles to sign free agent Saints DT Kentavius Street

The Philadelphia Eagles are expected to sign free agent New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Kentavius Street, teaming him up again with safety Justin Evans:

The Philadelphia Eagles are expected to sign free agent New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Kentavius Street, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Street was one of the more consistent interior disruptors for New Orleans last season, though Schefter erroneously credits him with 6 sacks — that stat is from Pro Football Focus, whose statisticians round up on half-sacks. Street was officially credited with 3.5 sacks by the NFL. These things happen when too much deference is given to sources in reporting.

Anyway: the Eagles are teaming Street up again with safety Justin Evans, who he played with in New Orleans last year. It’s a shame the Saints weren’t able to retain Street, because he was a quality interior pass rusher in the rotation, but they’ve spent the offseason retooling their defensive line and they won’t stop now. Expect more additions to filter in after the team signed Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders.

As for the compensatory draft picks ramifications here: Street will only factor into the formula if his contract averages about $2.5 million per year. Evans’ deal with the Eagles came in beneath that, and it’s likely Street’s will, too, seeing as he played on the veteran’s minimum last year. But if he does count as a loss for the Saints (as far as the comp picks accounting is concerned), that should free up a sixth-round draft pick in 2024 the Saints were projected to receive for losing defensive tackle Shy Tuttle, which was negated by signing Shepherd.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

[stnvideo key=”piNp8XoNge-2651309-7618″ type=”float”]

Free agent Saints safety Justin Evans signing with Eagles

Free agent New Orleans Saints safety Justin Evans is signing a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, NFL Network reports:

Hey, good for Justin Evans. The New Orleans Saints backup safety is signing with the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. It’s a one-year deal for the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers second-round pick.

Evans is a great story. He’s only 27 years old but lost several years of his career recovering from complicated lower-leg injuries, and he impressed Saints coaches so strongly last summer they were willing to move on from disgruntled slot corner C.J. Gardner-Johnson by the end of training camp. He ultimately played 391 snaps on defense, mainly covering the slot and lining up over the top at free safety, while also running with the kickoff and punt coverage units on special teams.

Evans was an important depth player for the Saints throughout the year, even if he struggled a bit in a starting role. They’ll need to make moves like signing former Houston Texans starter Lonnie Johnson Jr. to overcome this loss. He may factor into the compensatory picks formula for the 2024 NFL draft but we’ll have to wait and see what his contract is valued at to know for sure.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

[stnvideo key=”8XINHsDptt-2618834-7618″ type=”float”]

4 Saints free agency targets who won’t impact 2024 comp picks

The Saints could be big players in the next wave of free agency with about $16 million to spend. Here are four targets who won’t count against their 2024 comp picks:

The New Orleans Saints aren’t finished in free agency just yet. We’re still waiting on contract numbers and salary cap hits for recently-signed players like defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, punter Blake Gillikin, and offensive tackle Storm Norton, but the Saints should have approximately $16 million to work with by now — making them big players in the next wave of free agency. There is room for more upgrades after signing defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd and running back Jamaal Williams.

But they don’t want to be too active and jeopardize the multiple 2024 compensatory draft picks they’re projected to receive for losing so many free agents of their own. Fortunately, there’s a loophole: targeting players who were let go by their previous teams, who do not count against 2024 comp picks. Here’s a quick look at four veteran options who could help the Saints get where they want to go:

Andy Dalton left the Saints with a unique parting gift for the 2024 draft

Andy Dalton left the Saints with a unique parting gift: A free space in the compensatory picks formula for the 2024 NFL draft

So this is interesting — the Carolina Panthers are closing in on a two-year contract with former New Orleans Saints backup quarterback Andy Dalton, who would be tabbed to mentor whichever prospect Carolina picks first overall in the 2023 NFL draft.

Okay, that in itself isn’t very interesting. The money involved is (Dalton is going to be earning about twice of what he got from the Saints last season) but the departure isn’t that noteworthy. What’s unique about this situation is the parting gift that Dalton is leaving behind.

Because the Panthers are going to sign Dalton after his contract with the Saints expired, he’ll be qualify as a compensatory free agent for the 2024 NFL draft. Normally, that means the Saints would stand to get comp pick for losing Dalton. Probably a sixth rounder next season. But the Saints have already qualified for the maximum four comp picks allowed for 2024, so they won’t get anything for Dalton after all.

But wait, there’s more. While the Saints aren’t going to receive a comp pick for Dalton, his departure does still work in their favor for this process. His loss will work as a buffer between the Saints and any compensatory free agents that they do sign in the days and weeks ahead. That means New Orleans could sign a qualifying free agent like, say, New York Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, and he wouldn’t count towards their total. Dalton and Rankins would cancel each other out as far as the comp picks formula is concerned.

Which means the Saints would still be getting the projected comp picks for losing defensive linemen Marcus Davenport, David Onyemata, and Shy Tuttle as well as linebacker Kaden Elliss in 2024 (a mix of fourth- and sixth-round picks). They could jeopardize one or more of those picks by signing additional qualifying free agents, but if the Saints are careful and play this right they could address their team needs and still come out ahead with multiple comp picks in 2024. That’s going to be huge for a roster looking for an injection of young talent on salary cap-friendly rookie contracts.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

[stnvideo key=”O510nbKTDp-2612117-7618″ type=”float”]

Panthers expected to sign backup Saints QB Andy Dalton

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Carolina Panthers are expected to sign backup QB Andy Dalton. Another Saints free agent is staying in the division:

Hey, good for Andy Dalton. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the former New Orleans Saints backup quarterback is expected to sign a two-year deal with the Carolina Panthers once the new league year begins on Wednesday — and he’ll be getting a nice payday with $8 million guaranteed on the $10 million deal. Dalton isn’t expected to start (what with Carolina trading to the top of the 2023 draft to pick their next franchise quarterback) but his contract maxes out at $17 million if he does meet all of his bonuses and incentives.

Dalton is just the latest Saints free agent to stay in the NFC South, and he’ll be teammates again with defensive tackle Shy Tuttle on the Panthers. He wasn’t quite up to the task of leading the Saints to the playoffs last season, having gone 6-8 as a starter in relief of the injured Jameis Winston, but if the Panthers see him as more of a mentor for C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young, Anthony Richardson, or Will Levis then he should do well. That’s a role he’s filled before with the Chicago Bears as a veteran resource for Justin Fields.

One added wrinkle for the Saints: this contract for Dalton should qualify for a seventh- or sixth-round compensatory pick in the 2024 NFL draft, but because New Orleans has already met the maximum number of possible picks (four), they won’t get it. The good news is that Dalton’s contract could count against any new additions, meaning the Saints wouldn’t jeopardize any of their comp picks by signing a qualifying free agent.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

[stnvideo key=”Lea5NrNAfM-2612471-7618″ type=”float”]

Compensatory draft pick projections give Saints 10 selections in 2024

Compensatory draft pick projections give the New Orleans Saints 10 selections in 2024, but that number will go down once they begin signing new players:

Whew. The New Orleans Saints lost four of their free agents during Monday’s start to the NFL legal tampering period, in which opposing teams could reach out and offer contracts to players around the league.

David Onyemata, Shy Tuttle, Kaden Elliss, and Marcus Davenport each reached agreements with new teams within hours of the negotiating window’s opening. If there’s a silver lining, it’s that the Saints are for once poised to cash in with some valuable compensatory picks in the 2024 draft (which we’re tracking here).

The way things stand right now, the Saints would have a total of ten picks to work with in 2024:

  • Round 1
  • Round 2 (via Denver Broncos)
  • Round 4
  • Round 4 (compensatory for Marcus Davenport)
  • Round 4 (compensatory for David Onyemata)
  • Round 5
  • Round 6
  • Round 6 (via Philadelphia Eagles)
  • Round 6 (compensatory for Kaden Elliss)
  • Round 6 (compensatory for Shy Tuttle)

However, the Saints will be without their own selections in rounds two (traded to the Eagles in last year’s first-round move), three (traded to the Broncos along with Sean Payton), and seven (traded to the Houston Texans for Mark Ingram II), so these comp picks would only be shoring up some vacancies.

And New Orleans very likely isn’t going to end up with the maximum four comp picks allowed for player departures. Once they begin signing new free agents of their own, those additions will count against the losses and thin out the group based on contract value. It’s more realistic to expect two or three comp picks when it’s all said and done, but you never know. We’ll have to wait quite a while to see how this all plays out.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

[stnvideo key=”sKUv25Hxoo-2610382-7618″ type=”float”]

New Orleans Saints 2024 compensatory draft picks tracker

Our New Orleans Saints 2024 compensatory draft picks tracker is live. We’ll update this space as each Saints roster move factors into the equation:

The New Orleans Saints haven’t put as much a premium on compensatory draft picks as other teams around the league, but they’ve managed to come away with more comp picks in recent years than we’ve seen in the past. That could continue in the year ahead.

How these comp picks are awarded is a sort-of mysterious process, but the gist of it is that the NFL keeps track of how many qualifying players each team signs and loses during the past offseason, then awards draft picks to compensate for the loss of value in average pay per year. Only players whose contracts expired (not those who were released by their old teams) and with about four years’ of experience in the NFL qualify. Additionally, these comp picks are capped at four per team per year.

So the Saints did not jeopardize any comp picks in the 2024 draft by signing Derek Carr after the Las Vegas Raiders cut him in February, but last season’s moves to acquire Andy Dalton and Marcus Maye did count against the losses of Terron Armstead and Marcus Williams. Still, the NFL basically took pity on them and still gave the team a seventh-round comp pick for the net change in value.

With all that in mind: here’s a quick look at where the Saints stand for 2024 comp picks based on their 2023 free agency activity so far.