I have yet to see for sure an instance in which this has happened.
This was broached as a possibility for Jameis Winston back for the 2021 comp picks, but he likely didn't make enough/play enough to qualify as a compensatory free agent anyway.
https://x.com/gregauman/status/1254594290707238916
The reason to delay signing DJ Reader is that Giants could be in line for a 4th round 2027 compensatory pick for Wan'Dale Robinson going to Nashville.
But they need fellow new Titans teammate Austin Schlottman to emerge as a starter.
A few more written details here, on how teams might use this estimation to navigate the draft and fringe roster spots.
overthecap.com/estimating-the-number-of...
I keep forgetting to estimate how many undrafted free agents team might sign, but I won't forget for 2026.
Trent Williams was due $33M in 2026. $37M fully guaranteed would give him a little overall pay boost, while a $22M signing bonus allows the 49ers to prorate out more cap dollars with void years.
https://x.com/eliteloyaltysp/status/2046214777265918349
I used to have pie charts on this page--here's how that visual would look like...yikes again.
https://overthecap.com/texture
I can't recall a roster texture looking anything like the Dolphins currently look like now...yikes.
And the cash flow ends up being $22M/$25M/$23M per @MylesASimmons.
Just a $2M raise for Dexter Lawrence in 2026, and $3M more in 2027.
www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumo...
The cash flow on this 1 year, $28M extension for Dexter Lawrence will be key.
How much of it is he getting now? And will he be comfortable playing out the entirety of the contract without alteration for a team that are hard core sticklers about that?
It would have been a wild night in the crowd if this draft was in its traditional location.
In addition to the Jets & Giants having one quarter of the top half of the 1st round, New Yorkers would have also had four picks from the Cowboys & Dolphins to boo, as well.
Since 2016, the Bengals have only traded 19 of their 77 original draft picks (24.7%).
The Chargers (10 out of 77, 13%) are the only other team that has traded away fewer.
Eagles (no surprise) have the most, at 57, for 74%.
Giants' 2026 NFL Draft slate:
•1st: #5
•1st: #10 (from CIN - Lawrence)
•2nd
•4th
•5th
•6th
•6th (from MIA - Waller)
•6th (from DAL - Phillips)
Their 3rd round pick went to Houston as part of the Jaxson Dart tradeup.
NFL teams really seem to be going into overdrive in making small tweaks to uniforms and passing them off as some much grander change that demands an update to the fans' wardrobe...
Given how similar the new uniforms are to the very old ones, I'm guessing that the Commanders did not change their colors in a way where I'd need to update the hex values unless I hear otherwise.
The other 2027 6th round pick the Eagles have is coincidentally the Packers' original 6th, obtained in the Darian Kinnard trade.
At $12.5M APY, such a contract for Dontayvion Wicks likely would have equated to a borderline 5th/6th round 2028 compensatory pick for the Packers if they had let him walk in free agency next season.
Instead, they get a 5th *and* 6th rounder in drafts sooner than 2028.
And in case Giants fans and observers are curious, the same holds true with Austin Schlottmann and their 4th round 2027 compensatory pick now showing on the board.
Although there is more reason for optimism there if Schlottmann emerges as a starter for the Titans.
There will be more signings of players, particularly after the draft, as well as possible extensions that could bump a player like Reggie Gilliam below qualifying as a compensatory free agent.
Whether the Bills remain on target to get a 5th round 2027 comp pick is very much tenuous.
OTC's program puts in APYs of previous free agents until April 1 (that's today), and that's what caused some players like Reggie Gilliam to move into compensatory free agent qualification.
Jason covered the perception of signing bonuses well.
The one I always feel like I'm wordsmithing is explaining that the "option" in option bonus means whether or not to prorate cap dollars, and almost never whether the contract will be voided by a team or player.
A bit of an broader aside in this article is that the language that's used to discuss bonuses has been contorted so badly over the 30+ years of the salary cap era, and there's a collective action problem on how to fix it.
You can read more details on how the 2026 compensatory picks projection went right at this link:
overthecap.com/evaluation-of-the-2026-c...
It took me a while to carve out some time for it this draft, but I always like to evaluate how I did with projecting past compensatory picks.
For 2026, I was 26 for 32, with 5 of the 6 misses being only off by one round.
Though I am curious why the Eagles got a 6th rounder.
Time to make a mental note for my gamebook code that I'll have to make an exception to account for both B. Robinsons that play RB for the Falcons.
As an aside, on the introductory topic of great music covers, I'll respond to the first nominee listed with a cover of a cover--I felt fortunate to be able to witness this performance live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKOI8o_9uAA
You can find the recording of the show right here in case you missed it live: www.iheart.com/podcast/1248-broncos-cou...
Had a great time talking with @AllbrightNFL last night to discuss compensatory picks and a few other contract matters regarding the Broncos and the NFL.
Settling aside the scab firewall proposal, I think I would vote aye on all the proposed rule changes, except I would heavily vote nay on the Browns wanting to trade draft picks five drafts out.
2026 Playing Rule Proposal #2 is obvious to implement. Multiple head coaches were exploiting this loophole last season.
