Baltimore Ravens Add Three Compensatory NFL Draft Picks, Now Have Ten Total

Feb 22, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Baltimore Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome speaks at the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

It’s no secret that the Baltimore Ravens do a better job of adding NFL draft picks through the compensatory process than their NFL peers. Since 1994 (when the process started), the Ravens have collected nine more extra picks than any other team. What makes that stat more amazing is the fact that the Ravens have only existed as a franchise since 1996.

While Ozzie and crew didn’t receive the maximum number of four compensatory picks this year, they did pick up three – a fourth rounder (136) and two fifth rounders (171, 175). This year marks the first time in three years the team did not receive the maximum number of picks, but it still leaves them with a total of ten heading into the draft next month.

The Ravens do a better job of acquiring compensatory picks than anybody else because of their free agent and draft strategies. They are pretty fearless when it comes to letting guys walk for big money in free agency, and they specifically try to avoid signing free agents who have not been cut by other teams because that factors into the compensatory pick formula as well.

A team that loses more or “better” free agents than it picks up in the previous year is eligible to receive picks, which equals the number of free agents lost. The league determines if players are “better” by analyzing salary, playing time, and awards, with certain factors weighing more than others. The Ravens lost five players to free agency last season – Arthur Jones, Corey Graham, Ed Dickson, Micheal Oher, and James Ihedigbo.

While the loss of guys like Torrey Smith and Pernell McPhee may sting a bit right now, we can rest assured that the Ravens will be at least partially compensated next season. With many talent deficient teams flush with cap space in the modern day NFL, it’s simply part of the process – one that Ozzie and crew have mastered.

Next: Ravens Salary Cap Update: Mid Free Agency

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