FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Wednesday marks an important checkpoint on the NFL calendar for all teams, as signing compensatory free agents no longer counts against the formula for draft picks to be awarded in 2018.
This could lead to an increase in personnel moves.
For example, the Baltimore Ravens might be wise to make a move on running back LeGarrette Blount, as ESPN.com Ravens reporter Jamison Hensley speculated. The Detroit Lions are another team that has been mentioned as a possible suitor for Blount.
If a team interested in Blount signed him before Wednesday, it would have affected its compensatory draft-pick formula (and helped the New England Patriots' formula in the process). Compensatory draft picks are awarded based on a combination of salary, playing time and postseason honors.
This also explains why receiver Michael Floyd might be primed to sign a contract this week, as reported by ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Had Floyd signed before Wednesday, the team bringing him aboard would have had its compensatory draft pick formula affected (while helping the Patriots).
The Patriots are always aware of their compensatory draft-pick formula, which might explain why they hosted compensatory free-agent linebacker Andrew Gachkar on Tuesday. If the Patriots are thinking about signing Gachkar, they wouldn’t do so until Wednesday.
As it stands now, the Patriots currently project to receive 2018 fourth- and fifth-round compensatory draft picks, according to contract wizard Nick Korte of OverTheCap.com. Korte detailed why that is the case as part of his cancellation chart (the picks are from defensive end Jabaal Sheard signing with the Indianapolis Colts and tight end Martellus Bennett joining the Green Bay Packers).
That sets the Patriots up to have a more traditional draft after making just four selections in 2017. Next year, the club will have to give up either its third- or fourth-round draft choice to the Philadelphia Eagles as part of the 2016 trade for cornerback Eric Rowe. It will be a third-rounder if Rowe plays more than 50 percent of the defensive snaps this year, and a fourth-rounder if Rowe comes in at less than 50 percent.
Regardless, the Patriots currently project to have eight 2018 draft picks after the Rowe trade is accounted for, once again benefiting from the compensatory draft-pick formula.
From 1994-2017, the Patriots have been awarded 34 compensatory draft picks, which is the fourth-most of any franchise over that span.
