2023 NFL Draft: Projecting Dallas Cowboys compensatory picks

In the 2022 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys used their single compensatory pick to take a leap with former LSU linebacker Damone Clark who had surgery after the combine for a herniated disc. In 2023, the team could have three compensatory picks, according to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein. The NFL Draft analyst broke down the projected compensatory picks for all 32 teams this week.

Dallas Cowboys’ potential 2023 compensatory picks

The Dallas Cowboys could get one fourth-round pick and two six-round picks from the NFL due to free agency departures this offseason. Randy Gregory went to the Broncos, Connor Williams to the Dolphins and Cedrick Wilson Jr. to the Dolphins this season. Meanwhile, Jerry Jones’ squad didn’t add any key free agents.

“The Cowboys appear to have definitely decided they will play the comp-pick game as it pertains to losing and signing free agents,” Zierlein said. “Since 2020, Dallas has accumulated seven compensatory picks, and another three are slated to come in 2023.

“Despite the team-friendly 2022 cap number of the deal Gregory signed with the Broncos, his total contract value is set to bring Dallas a fourth-round pick. The departures of Williams and Wilson are slotted into sixth-round selections, based upon their contracts.”

How the NFL distributes compensatory draft picks

The number of compensatory picks each year is the same as the number of teams in the league (32), per the collective bargaining agreement. However, the NFL does not divide up compensatory picks equally among the teams. No team can receive more than four compensatory picks (in exchange for a player leaving) in a single year.

Per the league, a team losing more or better compensatory free agents than it acquires is eligible. The compensatory picks go from Round 3 to Round 7 based on the value of the compensatory free agents lost. The formula that determines compensatory free agents is based on salary, playing time and postseason honors.

Last season, the NFL awarded seven special selections at the end of the third round to teams that had a minority employee hired as a head coach or general manager by another club. The special compensatory selections are the result of an amendment to the 2020 Collective Bargaining Agreement. It’s an effort to promote equal employment opportunities within NFL teams.