Baltimore Ravens expected to receive third-round compensatory pick

The Baltimore Ravens will likely receive a third-round compensatory pick this offseason.

Baltimore Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome covets his draft picks like no other in the NFL. That doesn’t change when it comes to compensatory picks. Since the system began in 1994, the Ravens have received the most of any team with 48. That’s not necessarily a good thing, however; considering teams receive compensatory picks for losing players in free agency.

There’s a specific formula the NFL uses to calculate compensatory picks. That formula isn’t known to the public but sites like Over The Cap have detailed projections based on team’s free agency losses. What we do know is that there are 32 total compensatory picks are awarded every year ranging from round three to round seven.

Based on the 2017 season, the Ravens are projected to receive a third-round compensatory pick after losing right tackle Rick Wagner in free agency.

The Ravens received a third-round compensatory pick in 2017 after losing guard Kelechi Osemele. It was the first year compensatory picks could be traded and the Ravens did exactly that. They traded defensive end Timmy Jernigan and the compensatory pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for the No. 74 overall pick. The Ravens went on to select defensive end Chris Wormley in the 2017 NFL draft.

According to Over The Cap’s projections, the Ravens will receive the sixth-best compensatory pick of eligible teams. That would give them eight total picks in the 2018 draft barring a trade. They are also not projected to receive a pick after losing guard Vlad Ducasse in free agency.

Compensatory picks can be game-changers if the right player is found. The Ravens have benefitted from compensatory picks over the years. Recent selections include defensive tackle Willie Henry, running back Kenneth Dixon, cornerback Maurice Canady, fullback Kyle Juszczyk and Wagner himself. Given the Ravens’ success drafting in the mid-rounds, there’s hope they could hit on another prospect again.

Having assets is exactly what Newsome wants. Whether the Ravens use the pick or trade, having extra picks is a benefit.

Next: Ozzie Newsome: The strengths and weaknesses of the Ravens’ GM

With limited with cap space again this offseason, the Ravens could find themselves with more compensatory come 2019. Hopefully, by that time they’re coming off a playoff berth in the process.