Seahawks: no compensatory picks for 2019, but 2020 could be better
The NFL awarded compensatory picks for the 2019 draft and the Seahawks were left out in the cold. 2020 could be a much different story, though.
The Seahawks weren’t expected to receive any compensatory picks this season, and the league office didn’t disappoint. Okay, it is disappointing, but no one really expected to get even one compensatory pick anyway. 2020 could tell a very different story, though.
Compensatory picks are awarded by the NFL to compensate teams that lose more talent in free agency than they gain. The number of players matters, but it’s important to note that talent is part of the equation as well. This makes perfect sense. If a team loses three Pro Bowlers and signs four backups, obviously they’ve lost much more talent. The trick is to figure out exactly how the league evaluates that talent.
The NFL being the crafty devils they are, they won’t reveal the exact formula. Fortunately, we have the interwebs to call on. As usual, someone else has done all the heavy lifting. In this case, it’s the fine folks at overthecap.com. Look here for a very detailed analysis of how the formula likely works. Kudos to AdamJT13 for originating this, and overthecap.com for continuing his work. Basically, the value of the new contract is apparently the biggest factor, followed by playing time and postseason awards.
Seahawks have a much better shot at compensation in 2020
Seattle Seahawks
For our purposes, it suffices to say that when the Seahawks lost Jimmy Graham, Paul Richardson, and Sheldon Richardson, they would have to keep their free-agent acquisitions to a minimum in order to get at least one compensatory pick. Of course, Seattle needed a lot of new players to help cover those losses, plus the departure of players like Richard Sherman and Michael Bennett, who were released or traded. When the Hawks signed Jaron Brown, Ed Dickson, D.J. Fluker, Barkevious Mingo, Shamar Stephen, and J.R. Sweezy, all of whom played at least 10 games, their chances for compensation disappeared.
I’m perfectly happy that the Seahawks got quality play from their free agent additions. I much prefer an extra win or two compared to an extra draft pick. Still, another pick would be nice, even if it wouldn’t be above the third round.
The good news is that Seattle may be in a better position to land a comp pick in 2020. There is zero chance Earl Thomas stays here, and he would very likely garner an eventual third-round pick in compensation. As for the next players, I hope Seattle finds the coin to re-sign every one of them. But if they leave, K.J. Wright and Justin Coleman would each be very likely to earn a decent comp pick in return.
Fluker and Sweezy should command good contracts and significant playing time too, keys to getting compensation for their departures. Add in Mike Davis and Stephen, and the Hawks could lose a lot of significant talent that in turn would earn comp picks in the 2020 draft. This assumes they sign fewer free agents than they lose, or that at least a couple are inexpensive backup players while current players take over as starters. Similar to Tedric Thompson stepping in for Thomas.
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As I said, I’d much rather see Seattle keep all of those players – especially the alphabet guys – but that isn’t very likely. I definitely hope they re-sign Wright. Yes, I did write that the offensive line held up just fine when Jordan Simmons stepped in for Fluker. That doesn’t mean I want the massive road-grader to play anywhere else. But at least if the Hawks lose some of them, they’ll be in better position to at least get some compensation this time next year.