SAN DIEGO -- For the first time since 2012, the San Diego Chargers were awarded a compensatory pick, the NFL announced on Friday.
According to the league’s collective bargaining agreement, a team losing more or better compensatory free agents than acquired in the previous year is eligible to receive compensatory draft picks.
Usually, the number of picks a team receives equals the net loss of compensatory free agents up to a maximum of four.
Following that formula, San Diego lost linebacker Andrew Gachkar (Cowboys), safety Marcus Gilchrist (Jets), running back Ryan Mathews (Eagles) and receiver Eddie Royal (Bears) in free agency last season, while signing guard Orlando Franklin, cornerback Patrick Robinson and safety Jimmy Wilson.
The Chargers now have the 175th pick overall, giving San Diego eight selections in this year’s draft.
This marks the 19th time the Chargers have been given a compensatory pick. San Diego had a seventh-round compensatory selection in 2012. The Chargers selected running back Edwin Baker with the pick.
A new rule change for next year will allow teams to move picks for the first time, so 2016 marks the final season compensatory picks cannot be traded.
