A couple of readers were intrigued by our mention of the issue of compensatory picks as it relates to teams - specifically the Giants - losing free agents. The Giants have already lost defensive starters Kawika Mitchell, Gibril Wilson and Reggie Torbor.
The NFL uses a rather complicated formula to award compensatory picks to teams that lose more free agents than they sign. In other words, if the Giants were to sign zero free agents during the off-season - or even a couple marginal ones - they will be awarded compensatory picks in the 2009 draft.
Here's how the formula works, according to the NFL:
Under terms of the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement, a team losing
more or better compensatory free agents than it acquires in a year is
eligible to receive compensatory draft picks.
The number of picks a team receives equals the net loss of compensatory
free agents up to a maximum of four.
Compensatory free agents are determined by a formula based on salary,
playing time and postseason honors. The formula was developed by the
NFL Management Council. Not every free agent lost or signed by a club
is covered by this formula.
Believe me, the Giants are upset about not being able to keep all their free agents. But be assured that they're also taking the longer view here, and that the key to keeping this team at a high level will require solid performances in the draft room. You don't simply buy free agents to keep your team on top.