Denver Broncos could have a huge haul of 2020 compensatory picks
The Denver Broncos didn’t have any 2019 compensatory picks, but they could have a lot of them in 2020 based on how free agency goes.
The Denver Broncos didn’t receive any compensatory picks in the 2019 NFL Draft, but they could be in line to receive a number of them in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The compensatory draft pick formula is complicated, inexact from year to year, but is largely predictable by people smarter with math than I am.
To put it as simply as possible, the reason the Broncos didn’t receive any compensatory selections in the 2019 NFL Draft is that the free agents they lost didn’t sign for a high enough average salary per year in comparison to the unrestricted free agents the Broncos brought in.
The Broncos recouped a third-round draft choice in the 2018 NFL Draft after taking a one-year shot on Russell Okung, who signed for over $13 million per season with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Again, the formula for how these picks are acquired is not completely known, but it’s been mostly figured out. After losing players like Virgil Green, Cody Latimer, and other second or third-tier unrestricted free agents last year while gaining Case Keenum at $18 million per season, the Broncos knew they wouldn’t be getting any compensatory picks in 2019.
In 2020? They might be among the league leaders.
We predicted where some Broncos free agents might land this offseason, and also predicted their potential market value.
Depending on which other unrestricted free agents the Broncos sign, they could recoup some high draft picks with impending departures of guys like Matt Paradis, Shaquil Barrett, Bradley Roby, and others. Those guys could get really good money on the open market.
The Ravens recouped a third-round pick after losing Ryan Jensen, who signed for $10.5 million per season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
There could be some competition for third-round picks in the 2020 compensatory draft pick market. There are a number of elite defensive players on the free agent market this year, and there are also some offensive linemen set to make big money aside from Paradis. There’s also some guy named Le’Veon Bell looking for the team that will break the bank for his services.
Next. Market value of in-house free agents. dark
The numbers some of Denver’s players are projected to receive lead me to believe the Broncos will get multiple picks on next year’s compensatory draft pick slate, including at least a couple of picks within the first five rounds.