Now that the transaction wire for May 8 has been closed, we've reached the deadline for which the signing of compensatory free agents (CFAs) will count in the 2019 compensatory pick calculations. From now on, there will be only removals from the comp pick calculations. What does this mean for the Patriots?
1. The Patriots and the other 31 teams can now sign compensatory free agents without having the player qualifying to be included in the 2019 compensatory pick calculations.
2. It is safe to project that the Patriots will receive four compensatory picks in 2019.
A third-round pick for Nate Solder, a third-round pick for Malcolm Butler, a sixth-round pick for Dion Lewis, and a seventh-round pick for Cameron Fleming. (Matt Tobin's $655,000, Luke Bowanko's $675,000 , Jordan Matthews' $1,000,000 and Ulrick John's $745,000 cap numbers are too small to be included in the 2019 compensatory pick calculations.)
In addition, it's important to note that the Jeremy Hill signing currently offsets the loss of Johnson Bademosi. And the Adrian Clayborn signing currently offsets the loss of Danny Amendola, according to Over The Cap. (Please note Ricky Jean Francois has not yet officially signed with the Lions.)
While roster cuts may change things, I'm confident that the Patriots will be awarded four compensatory picks in the 2019 draft.
Answering some logical follow-up questions:
Question: What are the Patriots 2019 draft picks?
Answer:
- 1st round: their original assigned pick
- 2nd round: From the Bears as part of a 2018 draft-day trade
- 2nd round: their original assigned pick
- 3rd round: From the Lions as part of a 2018 draft-day trade
- 3rd round: Compensatory Pick (Solder)
- 3rd round: Compensatory Pick (Butler)
- 4th round: their original assigned pick
- 5th round: their original assigned pick
- 6th round: Compensatory Pick (Lewis)
- 7th round: From the Eagles as part of a 2018 draft-day trade
- 7th round: their original assigned pick
- 7th round: Compensatory Pick (Fleming)