The NFL announced 32 compensatory draft selections for next month’s NFL draft, giving 23 teams affected by free-agent comings and goings additional picks from Rounds 3 through 7 in the 2011 draft. Along with the 221 previous selections already set for all seven rounds, it means a total of 253 players will be selected from April 28-30.
The Carolina Panthers, who have the first overall pick in the draft, gained a league-high three compensatory picks, Nos. 97, 203 and 247. The Panthers lost free agent Julius Peppers to the Bears last year, so they were rewarded with a third round that will be the only compensatory pick awarded among the top 100 players chosen in the draft.
The Baltimore Ravens, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers and Tennessee Titans all received two picks. Fifteen teams got one each.
A team is eligible to receive compensatory draft picks if it is determined that they lost more or better players than they were able to acquire during the previous year’s free agency period. The number of picks a team receives equals the net loss of compensatory free agents (maximum of four).
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