NFL Draft

2014 NFL Draft: Buccaneers projected to get one compensatory pick

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have lost some players to free agency, but they signed a few too -- which means they're not getting more than a single seventh-round pick in compensation.

By Sander Philipse Feb 7, 2014, 3:09pm EST

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will get one compensatory draft pick this year, assuming Philly.com's projection is correct. The Bucs will receive a very late seventh-round pick. In fact, if that projection is correct, it will be one of the last five or so picks in the 2014 NFL draft.

Compensatory picks are awarded for net losses in free agency, and while the Bucs lost four players to free agency last year, they also signed four. From Philly.com:

Lost: Bennett ($4.8m), Miller ($2.25m), Biggers ($1.5m), Hayes ($1m)

Signed: Goldson ($8.25m), Landri ($1.6m), Casillas ($1.4m), Ogletree ($1.3m)*

The only reason the Buccaneers receive even a single compensatory pick is because Kevin Ogletree was cut before midseason, which means he (apparently) doesn't count for this formula.

Note that this is a projection based on analysis of previous years of compensatory picks, and not the final NFL announcement. The rules regarding compensatory picks are obscure (and non-public) so there are bound to be some errors, but these projections have been proven to be largely correct in the past .

This would give the Buccaneers the following draft picks this year.