New England Patriots Are Not Awarded Any Compensatory Draft Picks

by Richard Hill on Mar 25, 2011 5:55 PM EDT in New England Patriots News

The NFL released information on which teams received Compensatory Draft picks in the NFL Draft and, unfortunately, the Patriots didn't receive any. Compensatory picks are given out to teams who lost better free agents than they acquired. "Better" is defined as a player who receives a larger contract and sees more playing time.

The Patriots lost DE Jarvis Green and TE Ben Watson to free agency, but Green was released just as the season started. Watson was the best receiver on the Browns, out of his tight end position, but his value and contract wasn't enough to outweigh the contributions of the free agent arrivals of the Patriots.

The Patriots acquired TE Alge Crumpler and ~~DE Gerard Warren~~ (Note: Warren was cut by the Raiders and does not count to the compensatory math) during the free agency (as well as an assortment of other players, but these are the two who really played well and stuck around). Both players were team leaders and integral members of the Patriots' squad.

A team who acquires and loses the same quantity of free agents is only qualified for a 7th round compensatory draft pick, but the powers that be deemed the value of Crumpler and Warren (as well as the other players added during free agency) far outweighed the loss of Green and Watson.

The lack of compensatory picks leaves the Patriots with nine (9) draft picks, with six (6) in the first three rounds. However, Belichick loves his late round picks, so you can be certain that he'll be trading around to pick up at least another 6th or 7th round pick.

Hill Note: I actually question if the Patriots were even eligible for any compensatory draft picks. The Patriots signed a lot of free agents (Warren, Damione Lewis, Torry Holt, Marques Murrell, Alge Crumpler, etc) and they only lost Ben Watson and Jarvis Green. Teams don't qualify if they picked up more FAs than they lost. This could be why the Patriots didn't receive any picks.

Hill Note 2: Here's the reasoning: Teams that add and subtract the same number of free agents cannot receive anything greater than a 7th round compensatory. The Patriots added Marques Murrell and Alge Crumpler, while they lost Jarvis Green and Ben Watson. Murrell and Green did nothing for their respective teams (and both were released) so they cancel out. Crumpler and Watson also cancel out because Crumpler's blocking balances with Watson's receiving. The powers that be decided that those qualities were equal enough that the Patriots didn't deserve a compensatory pick. Sounds fair to me.

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still have 9 picks in the draft

let’s go!

by pats4life on Mar 25, 2011 5:47 PM EDT reply actions

Darn

Was hoping we’d get one for lost value because Ben Watson’s contract was way bigger than Crumpler, but I guess that wasn’t the case. It would have been a 7th at best anyways, probably a player we’d be able to sign as a UFA.

by 108 on Mar 25, 2011 5:51 PM EDT reply actions

well

A 7th pick can turn into a all-pro, you never know what a player can be look at all the undrafted free agents that turn into a cornerstone for a team. Hell look at Tom Brady last pick in the 6th round at number 199…I want BB to have as many picks as he can have, he works the draft so well and then sets himself up so the for the next year. every year he does this. He is the man when it comes to the draft.

by Mike Keller on Mar 25, 2011 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm not saying players picked in the 7th aren't any good

I’m just saying that players we would want to pick in the 7th have a good chance of being available undrafted. We’ve gotten Brandon Deadrick and Julian Edelman out of the 7th recently, but have also gotten Kyle Love, Dane Fletcher, and Gary Guyton undrafted. I’d like to have the pick for sure, but not a huge loss. There should only be about 10-15 picks between whatever we would have got and the end of the draft. There’s a good chance any player left on our draft board will make it through to the end, and we’re a pretty attractive landing spot for UFAs.

by 108 on Mar 25, 2011 9:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Question:

How the hell did Baltimore get two 5th round picks? I don’t remember them losing anyone in FA last year. Ridiculous.

Lakers,LeBron,Yankees,Colts,Giants,Dolphins,Steelers, & Jets: These are a few of my least favorite things.

by alphilip77 on Mar 25, 2011 6:15 PM EDT reply actions

I have no idea

by pats4life on Mar 25, 2011 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions

It would seem Redding didn't count

Weird, must not have played much.

by 108 on Mar 25, 2011 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions

They lost

Bannan to a 5 year 22m deal and Edwards to 4 years 18m. Signed Redding 2 years 6m.

That’s enough for one 5th, but I’m not sure how the other is justified.

A guy at MTD did a big research project on prediciting comp picks, it’s a good read.

http://www.mockingthedraft.com/2011/3/11/2044629/comp-pick-predictions

by 108 on Mar 25, 2011 9:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I've done a little poking around

Cory Redding didn’t count because he renegotiated his deal when he got traded from Detroit to Seattle to reduce the years, makes sense. Otherwise Seattle could trade a pick for him, then hold him for just one year, let him walk, and get a pick for him.

So in summary, Baltimore lost Justin Bannan to a big deal thanks to Josh McDaniels (he was just released 1 year into a 5 year contract), and Dwan Edwards to the Bills. Seems like a team with a lot of depth in the 3-4 losing players to converting teams.

by 108 on Mar 25, 2011 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks Rich

Your explanation makes sense.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Mar 25, 2011 6:45 PM EDT reply actions

Watson + Green vs Murrell + Crumpler

This is basically what it boils down to.

Murrell and Green did nothing. Watson and Crumpler cancel out (Watson’s receiving, Crumpler’s blocking). When a team adds and subtracts the same number of FAs, the best possible compensatory pick is a 7th round pick. I guess the powers that be didn’t think Watson had more value than Crumpler, and I’m fine with that explanation.

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by Richard Hill on Mar 25, 2011 6:56 PM EDT reply actions