The National Football League (NFL) has awarded 33 compensatory picks to 15 teams for the 2026 NFL Draft, which will be held in Pittsburgh on April 23-25.
Teams which have had a minority employee hired as a primary football executive or head coach by another club receive special compensatory picks.
The system was introduced as an amendment to the 2020 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). It is designed to promote equal employment opportunities in the NFL. The picks are as follows:
| Team | Total compensatory picks |
| Baltimore Ravens | 4 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 4 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 4 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 3 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 2 |
| Denver Broncos | 2 |
| Detroit Lions | 2 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 2 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 2 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 2 |
| New York Jets | 2 |
| Green Bay Packers | 1 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 1 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 1 |
| New Orleans Saints | 1 |
Eagles & Steelers are the biggest beneficiaries
Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers are the biggest beneficiaries, with each club being awarded four compensatory picks.
However, the Eagles and Steelers have each bagged one pick in the third round of the draft, which boosts their chances of signing a top-class player.
The NFL Draft is one of the most closely followed moments of the offseason, with fans analysing every pick while also keeping an eye on draft-related betting markets and platforms such as Bally Bet, which offers wagering and other online gaming options throughout the football calendar.
The compensatory picks are positioned from Round 3 to Round 7, and no team is allowed to receive more than four each year. Here is the full list of compensatory picks awarded to teams:
Round 3
97. Minnesota Vikings
98. Philadelphia Eagles
99. Pittsburgh Steelers
100. Jacksonville Jaguars
Round 4
133. San Francisco 49ers
134. Las Vegas Raiders
135. Pittsburgh Steelers
136. New Orleans Saints
137. Philadelphia Eagles
138. San Francisco 49ers
139. San Francisco 49ers
140. New York Jets
Round 5
173. Baltimore Ravens
174. Baltimore Ravens
175. Las Vegas Raiders
176. Kansas City Chiefs
177. Dallas Cowboys
178. Philadelphia Eagles
179. New York Jets
180. Dallas Cowboys
181. Detroit Lions
Round 6
214. Pittsburgh Steelers
215. Philadelphia Eagles
216. Pittsburgh Steelers
Round 7
249. Indianapolis Colts
250. Baltimore Ravens
251. Los Angeles Rams
252. Los Angeles Rams
253. Baltimore Ravens
254. Indianapolis Colts
255. Green Bay Packers
256. Denver Broncos
257. Denver Broncos
Bears frustrated as NFL overlooks their claim for a compensatory pick
The lengthy saga surrounding the Chicago Bears’ quest to secure a compensatory draft pick ended in frustration for the club’s hierarchy.
Ian Cunningham left the Bears to become the new general manager of the Atlanta Falcons in January, which should have resulted in them receiving a pair of third-round compensatory picks.
However, the NFL did not view Cunningham as the primary football decision maker as the Falcons had already hired Matt Ryan as the president of football.
Cunningham had supported the Bears’ bid to receive the picks, particularly as Ryan had confirmed what his role with the Falcons entails.
“It was always my interpretation that if a general manager gets hired, that the team would receive two third-round picks,” Cunningham said. “I’m the general manager. I was hired. I would think that they would get two third-round picks.
“I don’t know the wording of it. That’s just my perspective. Again, I wouldn’t be sitting here if it weren’t for (the Bears) giving me that (assistant GM) job and helping me grow to get this (Falcons) job right now.”
The NFL has taken a different view, leaving the Bears believing that they have not adhered to the rules established during the CBA in 2020.
Seahawks set to gain three draft picks in 2027
The Seattle Seahawks are not amongst the 15 teams who have received compensatory picks this year, but they will be on the list in 2027.
The free agency departures of Boye Mafe, Kenneth Walker III and Coby Bryant have netted the Seahawks one fourth round pick and two fifth round picks for next year’s draft.
While Seahawks fans may be unhappy with their exits, it can be argued that this places the franchise in a much stronger long-term position.
The Seahawks need to ensure they retain the services of Devon Witherspoon and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and the money saved puts them in a better negotiating position.
The reigning Super Bowl champions should still remain competitive, while ensuring that they are well-placed to take advantage of a strong 2027 draft class.
General manager John Schneider has an excellent track record of drafting in the fourth and fifth rounds, which adds further weight to the compensatory picks.
The Seahawks could feasibly acquire a fourth pick for 2027, which would boost their hopes of enjoying a sustained period of success in the NFL.
Schneider is not a fan of the free agency period, but it could work to his advantage as he strives to build another Super Bowl winning squad.