GREEN BAY, Wis. -- It wasn’t the haul they’ve received in past years, but the Green Bay Packers didn’t come up completely empty in the compensatory draft pick department, either.
They were awarded an additional fifth-round pick on Friday, when the NFL announced the 32 compensatory selections in this year’s draft. The pick, which will be No. 39 in the fifth round and No. 184 overall, was to offset the loss of cornerback Casey Hayward in free agency last spring.
Hayward signed a three-year, $15.3 million contract with the Chargers and led the NFL with seven interceptions and made his first Pro Bowl.
No pick was awarded for the loss of backup quarterback Scott Tolzien, who signed with the Colts. The Packers did not sign any free agents that would factor into the compensatory formula. Tight end Jared Cook did not count. He was considered a street free agent because he was released by his former team. Only unrestricted free agents count in the formula.
Compensatory picks were awarded between rounds three and seven based on a formula that takes into account a free agent’s salary, playing time and postseason honors.
Last year, the Packers picked up two additional fourth-round picks after losing cornerbacks Tramon Williams and Davon House in the previous year’s free-agent period. General manager Ted Thompson used those picks to draft linebacker Blake Martinez and defensive end Dean Lowry.
This year, however, Thompson can trade his compensatory pick for the first time. In previous years, those selections had to be used by the team.
Since the current compensatory program began in 1994, the Packers have been awarded the second-most selections (38) behind the Baltimore Ravens (48).
