NFL Draft: Cowboys 'Big Winners' - Awarded Bundle Of Compensatory Picks

Jerry Jones says the Cowboys ‘won today.’ He meant Dak - but meanwhile, the Cowboys lead the NFL with four compensatory draft picks

FRISCO - The NFL released its full list of compensatory picks for the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft on April 29, with over 35 picks being awarded to 18 different teams. ...

And the Dallas Cowboys come away as big winners.

A look at the 2021 @NFL Draft compensatory selections pic.twitter.com/PMhApYhe6D

— Michael Signora (@NFLfootballinfo) March 10, 2021

The Cowboys earned four compensatory picks of their own, bringing their grand total of picks in this year's draft to nine, all as they attempt to spend the coming weeks and months rebounding from a 6-10 season in 2020 working to replenish a depleted roster in the coming months.

Dallas was awarded a third-round pick (No. 99) for the departure of Byron Jones, a fourth-round pick (No. 139) for the exit of Robert Quinn, a fifth-round pick (No. 179) for the loss of Randall Cobb, and a sixth-round pick (No. 227) for the departure of Jeff Heath.

Compensatory picks, which are awarded between rounds three and seven to teams who lose players to free agency, take into account that departing player's average salary, snap count, and postseason accolades.

READ MORE: Dak Prescott Reveals 'Cowboy For Life' Thoughts: 'Just The Beginning!'

The Cowboys draft is of course keyed by their ownership of the No. 10 overall pick, the result of that aforementioned 6-10 record. Cowboys COO Stephen Jones, on the podium on Wednesday here at The Star in Frisco for the official announcement of the Dak Prescott contract signing, suggested Dallas might lean toward defense in this draft, while adding that it is a mistake to lean too far in that direction. He cited last year’s NFL Draft when the Cowboys, thinking defense, were lucky to land at slot No. 17 the Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who was a top-six player on their board.

READ MORE: Cowboys NFL Draft Tracker - Updated Constantly!