2025 NFL Draft: League Awards 35 Compensatory Picks to 16 Teams
As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the league has officially awarded 35 compensatory picks to 16 teams, providing additional selections based on free-agent departures from the previous season. These compensatory picks, which range from the third to seventh rounds, are designed to help teams that have lost key players in free agency by giving them extra opportunities to strengthen their rosters.
How Compensatory Picks Are Determined
The NFL uses a proprietary formula to assign compensatory picks, which takes into account factors such as a player’s salary, playing time, and postseason honors. Teams that lose more qualifying free agents than they sign receive compensatory selections, with higher-value players yielding higher-round picks.
Teams Receiving Compensatory Picks in 2025
This year, 16 teams benefited from the compensatory pick system. The exact distribution of the 35 additional selections is as follows:
• San Francisco 49ers – 5 picks
• Baltimore Ravens – 4 picks
• Kansas City Chiefs – 3 picks
• Dallas Cowboys – 3 picks
• Green Bay Packers – 3 picks
• New York Giants – 3 picks
• New England Patriots – 2 picks
• Los Angeles Rams – 2 picks
• Minnesota Vikings – 2 picks
• Cincinnati Bengals – 2 picks
• Arizona Cardinals – 2 picks
• Indianapolis Colts – 1 pick
• Buffalo Bills – 1 pick
• Washington Commanders – 1 pick
• Seattle Seahawks – 1 pick
• Tennessee Titans – 1 pick
Notable Compensatory Picks
The San Francisco 49ers received the most compensatory picks this year, continuing their trend of benefiting from the NFL’s minority hiring initiative. The Ravens, Chiefs, and Cowboys were also among the top recipients, reinforcing their ability to develop talent and manage the free-agent market effectively.
Several of the third-round compensatory selections were awarded due to teams losing key free agents or staff members who were hired as head coaches or general managers elsewhere.
Impact on the 2025 NFL Draft
These compensatory picks will give teams additional flexibility when strategizing their draft selections. Teams with extra picks may use them to fill roster needs, trade up for key players, or accumulate future assets. The additional selections could also influence trade negotiations as teams look to maximize their draft capital.
As the draft approaches, these compensatory picks will play a critical role in shaping team strategies and could have a significant impact on the league’s competitive balance moving forward.
