Ravens Awarded Two Compensatory Picks

The league announced which teams would be awarded Compensatory picks today and the Ravens received a very pleasant surprise. They were awarded a 4th round pick and a 5th round pick. They were expected to receive a 4th and either a 6th or 7th round pick. For anyone who doesnt understand Compensatory picks, they are basically a reward for teams who draft well. The picks are awarded based on te number of players you lose to other teams in free agency, and the amount those players got paid, as well as the number of free agents that you signed in return. The league keeps the exact formula a secret so no one knows for sure exactly how it works but the basic idea is

(NUMBER OF PLAYERS LOST x SALARY OF THOSE PLAYERS) – (NUMBER OF PLAYERS SIGNED x SALARY OF THOSE PLAYERS)

That formula is far far far from exact(the Real one is way more complex), I am just trying to paint a picture of how it works. last year the Ravens lost Josh Wilson, Dawan Landry, Chris Chester, LeRon McClain and a few others(Todd Heap, Derrick Mason, Kelly Gregg and Willis McGahee do not count because they were released by the team). They signed Bernard Pollard, Ricky Williams, Vonta Leach and a couple others(Lee Evans does not count because he came in a trade). Landry became the highest paid SS in the league when he signed with Jacksonville so the formula interprets that as Landry being among the best in the league at his position, he is the likely source of the Ravens fourth round compensatory pick. The fifth round pick was likely a composite of the other losses.

The Ravens now hold the 29th(1st), 60th(2nd), 91st(3rd), 130th(4th, compensatory), 156th(5th), 169th(5th, compensatory), they also own a 6th and a 7th round pick, but in not 100% sure what the exact position it, likely around 195 and 225, i will update with the actual numbers as soon as i can find them.

The extra 4th rounder comes as a huge boost and will allow the Ravens a lot more flexibility in the first three rounds. There should be a solid group of offensive lineman still available, especially on the interior line. There will also be the possibility of a punt or kick return specialist as those players should be plentiful in the fourth round, a player like Cliff Harris comes to mind right away.