Packers receive three compensatory draft picks in 2021
As expected, the Green Bay Packers have received three compensatory draft picks for 2021.
According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, the Packers have been awarded picks in the fourth, fifth, and sixth rounds based on last year’s free agency. The exact picks are No. 143 overall, No. 178, and No. 220.
This comes as a result of losing Blake Martinez, Bryan Bulaga, and Kyler Fackrell in free agency last year. The Packers’ signings of Christian Kirksey and Rick Wagner didn’t make a difference to the compensatory pick formula as they were released by their previous teams.
The Packers have used compensatory picks to their advantage in recent years. This note from Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers’ official website is particularly interesting.
The #Packers receive a fourth-round compensatory pick for losing former fourth-round compensatory pick Blake Martinez...who was drafted with the fourth-round compensatory pick GB received...for losing former fourth-round compensatory pick Davon House.
— Wes Hodkiewicz (@WesHod) March 10, 2021
Along with Martinez, two other previous compensatory picks for the Packers include Pro Bowlers, guard Josh Sitton and defensive lineman Mike Daniels. Will Green Bay find another Pro Bowler with one of these bonus picks in 2021?
This now means Green Bay will enter the 2021 NFL Draft with a total of 10 picks. The team has its original pick in each of the seven rounds and now gains three additional Day 3 selections.
Considering general manager Brian Gutekunst has enjoyed trading up in each of his first three draft classes, entering with 10 selections gives him a great opportunity to move up again.
It’s way too early to predict next year’s compensatory picks, but don’t be surprised if Green Bay is rewarded a couple next offseason. With limited salary cap space to make many moves in free agency this spring and potentially about to lose star players Aaron Jones and Corey Linsley, the Packers will almost certainly bring in some extra draft picks next offseason.
But that’s a conversation for another day. Before then, the question is whether Gutekunst can make the most of this year’s compensatory picks.