The NFL announced 32 compensatory draft picks spread out among 18 teams Tuesday, but New England did not get any extra picks.
Teams receive compensatory picks through a formula the league uses. The number of picks equals the net loss of compensatory free agents up to a maximum of four. Compensatory free agents are determine through a formula based on salary, playing time and postseason honors. Not every free agent lost or signed is covered by the formula.
The Patriots added nearly two dozen free agents in 2001, most of whom contributed significantly to the championship season. By contrast, the team lost only a couple free agents who went on to provide significant production for another team.
Buffalo received the most compensatory picks of any team, getting four from the league. The only affect the compensatory picks had on the Patriots was determining the overall spot of some late-round selections. Here are all of New England's draft picks by round, with the overall selection in parenthesis:
Round 1: 32
Round 2: 33 (65)
Round 3: 31 (96)
Round 4: 28 (126, from Green Bay) and 33 (131)
Round 5: 9 (144, from Jacksonville) and 33 (168)
Round 6: None
Round 7: 23 (234, from NY Jets) and 33 (244)
