Commanders Projected to Earn NFL Draft Compensatory Picks?

After losing several free agents this offseason NFL.com projects whether or not the Washington Commanders are in line to receive compensatory picks in next year's NFL Draft.

The Washington Commanders lost six players in free agency this offseason but do not project to receive any compensatory picks in next year's NFL Draft as a result. 

Among the six players lost from last year's Commanders roster, defensive back Bobby McCain was released doesn't count towards the awarding of any potential compensatory picks. 

The other five departed after their contracts expired and count in the algorithm the NFL uses to decide whether or not a team deserves compensatory picks.

Of those five, three of them (quarterback Taylor Heinicke to the Atlanta Falcons, linebacker Cole Holcomb to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and guard Wes Schweitzer to the New York Jets) started six or more games for Washington last season. 

Additionally, receiver Cam Sims departed for the Las Vegas Raiders, and guard Wes Martin signed a one-year deal with the Cleveland Browns. 

But the value of free agents signed also factors into the equation and the Commanders acquired multiple this offseason including offensive linemen Andrew Wylie from the Kansas City Chiefs and Nick Gates from the New York Giants. 

With each departing and arriving player's average salary per year (APY) playing a big role in factoring compensatory value Gates, Wylie, and linebacker Cody Barton's yearly averages added to the roster nearly match all lost values alone. 

All before you even get to quarterback Jacoby Brissett's one-year figure of $8 million and offensive lineman Trent Scott's $1.51 million.

Player snap counts and any postseason awards also factor in, but the exact equation for figuring out compensation is not publicly known. 

The NFL also awards two third-round compensatory selections to teams that have minority coaches or executives hired as head coaches or general managers of another club. 

If a team has one of each hired away in the same season, they receive three, and all of those are awarded in consecutive seasons beginning the next NFL Draft following the hire(s).

Only signings that happen before May 1st qualify for consideration, so any further signings will not impact this calculation for the 2024 NFL Draft. 

While Washington is projected to get no compensatory picks, the San Francisco 49ers lead the league projected to receive five total.

NFC East Division rivals are expected to receive comp picks as well with the Philadelphia Eagles projected to get three while the Dallas Cowboys figure to earn two.

The Commanders received two for the 2023 NFL Draft and selected Arkansas center Ricky Stromberg with pick No. 97. 

Washington then traded the No. 215 pick along with No. 150 which was not a compensatory pick to the Buffalo Bills in order to move up to No. 137 to select Clemson defensive end KJ Henry.

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