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• Projected compensatory picks: two in Round 5; two in Round 7.
• Key free-agent losses: Patrick Mekari (Jaguars), Brandon Stephens (Jets), Malik Harrison (Steelers), Josh Jones (Seahawks), Tre'Davious White (Bills)
• Key free-agent addition: DeAndre Hopkins

No team has been better at stockpiling compensatory picks than the Ravens, who had the maximum total of four in 2025. They are likely to be awarded four compensatory picks again in 2026. Stephens and Mekari should net fifth-round selections, while Jones could bring a seventh-rounder. Also, I believe White will receive enough playing time in Buffalo to fetch another pick late in Round 7.

• Projected compensatory picks: one in Round 3; one in Round 4; one in Round 5; one in Round 6.
• Key free-agent losses: Dan Moore Jr. (Titans), Justin Fields (Jets), Russell Wilson (Giants), James Daniels (Dolphins), Donte Jackson (Chargers), Najee Harris (Chargers)
• Key free-agent additions: Malik Harrison, Mason Rudolph

Steelers general manager Omar Khan has publicly that adding compensatory picks for the 2026 draft has been part of Pittsburgh’s free agency strategy this year. Khan traded for DK Metcalf and picked up Darius Slay after he had been cut by the Eagles, so neither addition impacts Pittsburgh's haul. The additions of Rudolph and Harrison came at relatively modest contract numbers, canceling out the departures of Jackson and Harris. Moore’s huge contract will earn the Steelers a third-round pick, while the losses of Fields, Wilson and Daniels should push the Steelers into the max number of four selections next year.

• Projected compensatory picks: one in Round 4; two in Round 7.
• Key free-agent losses: D.J. Reed (Lions), Javon Kinlaw (Commanders), Haason Reddick (Buccaneers), Morgan Moses (Patriots), Tyler Conklin (Chargers), Solomon Thomas (Cowboys)
• Key free-agent additions: Justin Fields, Brandon Stephens, Andre Cisco

Free-agent departures took a bite out of the Jets’ roster, but it also put them in position to gain three compensatory picks. The additions of Fields, Stephens and Cisco will cancel out some of the departures, leaving the Jets with a fourth- and seventh-rounder, at minimum. I believe they will receive an additional seventh-rounder as long as Thomas plays at least a modest amount of snaps for Dallas.

• Projected compensatory picks: one in Round 3; one in Round 4; one in Round 5.
• Key free-agent losses: Milton Williams (Patriots), Josh Sweat (Cardinals), Mekhi Becton (Chargers), Isaiah Rodgers (Vikings)
• Key free-agent addition: Azeez Ojulari

Ojulari and Rodgers will cancel each other out in the formula, but the Eagles should still earn compensatory picks in the third (Williams), fourth (Sweat) and fifth (Becton) rounds.

• Projected compensatory picks: two in Round 4; one in Round 5.
• Key free-agent losses: Aaron Banks (Packers), Charvarius Ward (Colts), Jaylon Moore (Chiefs), Talanoa Hufanga (Broncos), Dre Greenlaw (Broncos), Joshua Dobbs (Patriots)
• Key free-agent additions: Luke Farrell, Demarcus Robinson, Mac Jones

The 49ers lost substantially more free-agent value than they added in 2025, so the math should work in their favor, with Banks, Ward and Hufanga bringing in a good haul. 

• Projected compensatory picks: two in Round 7.
• Key free-agent losses: Cody Barton (Titans), Zach Wilson (Dolphins), Riley Dixon (Buccaneers), Javonte Williams (Cowboys)
• Key free-agent additions: Talanoa Hufanga, Dre Greenlaw

The top two additions and top two losses cancel each other out, earning Denver seventh-rounders for the departures of Dixon and Williams.

• Projected compensatory picks: one in Round 3; one in Round 7.
• Key free-agent losses: Carlton Davis (Patriots), Kevin Zeitler (Titans)
• Key free-agent additions: D.J. Reed, Roy Lopez

The Lions will receive a third-round compensatory pick, thanks to the 2025 hiring of former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn as Jets head coach. This will be the second of the two picks going to Detroit because of Glenn’s hiring. In addition, Detroit could receive a seventh-round selection based on the disparity in its losses compared with its gains.

• Projected compensatory picks: two in Round 7.
• Key free-agent losses: Will Fries (Vikings), Dayo Odeyingbo (Bears), Ryan Kelly (Vikings), Joe Flacco (Browns), E.J. Speed (Texans)
• Key free-agent additions: Charvarius Ward, Camryn Bynum, Daniel Jones

The top few losses and signings cancel each other out, which leaves the departures of Flacco and Speed to net seventh-round picks.

• Projected compensatory picks: one in Round 3; one in Round 5.
• Key free-agent losses: Sam Darnold (Seahawks), Camryn Bynum (Colts), Daniel Jones (Colts), Cam Robinson (Texans), Patrick Jones II (Panthers)
• Key free-agent additions: Will Fries, Ryan Kelly, Isaiah Rodgers

A third-round pick should be coming to the Vikings following Darnold’s departure for Seattle, and midseason trade acquisition Robinson could fetch a fifth-rounder after leaving for Houston. Minnesota might have turned a one-year, $10 million contract for Darnold into the top compensatory pick in the 2026 draft, and they are getting 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy back from injury. Well played, Vikings.

• Projected compensatory picks: one in Round 7.
• Key free-agent losses: Coleman Shelton (Rams), Darrell Taylor (Texans), Teven Jenkins (Browns)
• Key free-agent additions: Dayo Odeyingbo, Drew Dalman

The Bears have been awarded only one compensatory pick in the past four drafts, but they are in position to pick up one up in 2026. Chicago should net a seventh-rounder for the loss of Jenkins after the top two additions and losses cancel out.

• Projected compensatory picks: one in Round 7.
• Key free-agent losses: Akeem Davis-Gaither (Cardinals), Trent Brown (Texans)
• Key free-agent addition: Tedarrell Slaton

This projection really comes down to Brown. Playing time for him is not guaranteed with the Texans, who drafted Aireontae Ersery in the second round this year. The rookie joins a Houston group at offensive tackle that could include Blake Fisher, Tytus Howard (if he doesn’t play guard), Cam Robinson and Brown. If Brown can make the team and stay active, the Bengals should pick up a seventh-rounder.

• Projected compensatory picks: one in Round 5.
• Key free-agent losses: Demarcus Lawrence (Seahawks), Jourdan Lewis (Jaguars), Brandin Cooks (Saints), Chauncey Golston (Giants), Chuma Edoga (Jaguars)
• Key free-agent additions: Dante Fowler Jr., Robert Jones, Solomon Thomas, Javonte Williams

We have to travel all the way back to 2017 to find the last draft in which the Cowboys didn’t receive at least one compensatory pick. They should be awarded at least one selection next year (for Lewis) and potentially another, depending on how playing time shakes out for the other players in the mix.

• Projected compensatory picks: one in Round 7.
• Key free-agent losses: Tershawn Wharton (Panthers), Justin Reid (Saints), DeAndre Hopkins (Ravens)
• Key free-agent additions: Jaylon Moore, Kristian Fulton

The Chiefs lost one more projected qualifying free agent than they added. Hopkins’ departure to the Ravens on a modest contract should provide Kansas City a seventh-rounder.

• Projected compensatory picks: one in Round 4.
• Key free-agent losses: Tre'von Moehrig (Panthers), Nate Hobbs (Packers), Robert Spillane (Patriots), Divine Deablo (Falcons)
• Key free-agent additions: Jeremy Chinn, Eric Stokes, Elandon Roberts

The additions of Chinn, Roberts and Stokes are washed out by the losses of Hobbs, Spillane and Deablo, leaving Moehrig’s departure to net a fourth-round pick.

• Projected compensatory picks: one in Round 7.
• Key free-agent losses: Michael Hoecht (Bills), Bobby Brown III (Panthers), Demarcus Robinson (49ers)
• Key free-agent additions: Poona Ford, Coleman Shelton

GM Les Snead has had some famous quotes regarding draft picks, but it’s easier to shuffle them around when you are gaining so many compensatory selections. The Rams have been awarded 15 compensatory picks dating back to 2022 thanks to their free-agent maneuvering and the hirings of Brad Holmes (Lions GM) and Raheem Morris (Falcons head coach). In 2026, the Rams are in line for either a sixth- or seventh-round pick, depending on the usage of Robinson by the 49ers.

• Projected compensatory picks: one in Round 4.
• Key free-agent losses: Paulson Adebo (Giants), Will Harris (Commanders), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Seahawks)
• Key free-agent additions: Justin Reid, Brandin Cooks

I’m quite certain the Saints will be happy to receive a fourth-round pick for Adebo, who has started 51 games and posted 10 career interceptions since New Orleans drafted him in the third round back in 2021. The departures of Harris and Valdes-Scantling will be canceled out by the additions of Reid and Cooks.