The Green Bay Packers don't own a first-round pick this year or next, but they're stocking up on 2027 selections. Their quiet start to free agency could benefit them in the long run.
Malik Willis' deal with the Miami Dolphins could land the Packers a compensatory pick in the third or fourth round next year. Now, Romeo Doubs could do the same.
He has reportedly signed a massive deal with the New England Patriots. There is mixed reporting on the exact contract terms, although NFL Network's Ian Rapoport has it at four years for "roughly $70 million." That's potentially significant for the Packers.
Romeo Doubs' massive payday will likely land the Packers another draft pick in 2027
Two days into free agency, Green Bay has lost far more than it's gained. For those keeping score at home, Doubs joins Willis, Quay Walker, and Kingsley Enagbare as the Packers' departing free agents so far. They also traded away Rashan Gary and Colby Wooden and released Elgton Jenkins, although those three don't factor into the compensatory pick formula.
Green Bay signed cornerback Benjamin St-Juste and traded for Zaire Franklin, although, again, only St-Juste counts toward the formula as he was a free-agent signing.
Over The Cap's updated projections for the 2027 compensatory draft picks have the Packers receiving three: a fourth-rounder for Willis, another fourth-rounder for Doubs, and a fifth-rounder for Walker. A potential sixth-round pick for losing Enagbare is canceled out by the St-Juste signing.
Green Bay also received a 2027 fourth-round pick in the Gary trade.
Barring a major spending spree in the days and weeks ahead, losing Doubs should lock in a pick for the Packers, likely a fourth-round choice.
Rasheed Walker remains a free agent and could also land a major deal from another team. That would put the Packers in line for the maximum of four compensatory draft picks next year.
Future signings the Packers make could impact that. For example, if they go big for a player like Riq Woolen or Trey Hendrickson, it could decrease the number of picks they receive. But it seems unlikely the Packers will become major spenders. One way to avoid that is to sign players released from their contracts, as it won't count towards the compensatory pick decisions.
The Packers will miss Doubs, whom they selected in the fourth round in 2022, but his departure could land them another fourth-rounder to make up for it.