Packers should expect multiple compensatory draft picks in 2021

After a relatively quiet free agency period last offseason, the Green Bay Packers should net a few compensatory draft picks this year.

After losing inside linebacker Blake Martinez, tackle Bryan Bulaga, and edge rusher Kyler Fackrell in free agency last year, the Packers are expected to bring back multiple picks.

While the exact formula used to determine which teams are awarded picks is unclear, Over The Cap’s compensatory draft pick cancellation chart is a great tool and often spot on.

This year, Over The Cap projects the Packers to receive three compensatory picks. One in the fourth, fifth, and sixth rounds. That’s a pretty good return and would give Green Bay a total of 10 picks to work with.

So, why three draft picks?

Well, first of all, two of the Packers’ free agent additions don’t count towards the compensatory draft pick compensation. Inside linebacker Christian Kirksey and tackle Rick Wagner were released by their former teams, so they aren’t counted.

Over The Cap projects that the signing of wide receiver Devin Funchess cancels out the loss of inside linebacker B.J. Goodson. Had they not signed Funchess, a seventh-rounder could’ve come back Green Bay’s way.

That leaves the other three players the Packers lost: Blake Martinez, Bryan Bulaga, and Kyler Fackrell.

The cancellation chart projects the Packers to receive a fourth-rounder for losing Martinez, a fifth for Bulaga, and a sixth for Fackrell.

Compensatory draft picks can be traded, so Green Bay would have plenty of resources to trade up at any point should they wish. If not, they might be able to find some talented players with those picks.

Previous compensatory picks include Josh Sitton, Mike Daniels and, coincidentally, Blake Martinez. Martinez was selected in the fourth round and could now bring back a fourth-rounder for the Packers after leaving in free agency.