INDIANAPOLIS – This Friday afternoon delivered some good news to the Indianapolis Colts.
The Colts were awarded a fourth-round compensatory pick, giving the team another opportunity at adding an important piece in what is a critical 2017 draft for the organization.
With the additional fourth-round pick (144 overall), the Colts now have seven total picks in 2017:
- 1st Round
- 2nd Round
- 3rd Round
- 4th Round
- 4th Round via compensatory
- 5th Round
- 6th Round
The team's seventh round selection was traded to Cleveland in 2015 for former defensive lineman Billy Winn.
Where exactly the Colts will be picking in each round will be finalized at next week's NFL Combine.
A coin flip with the Minnesota Vikings will determine if the Colts will be choosing in the 14th or 15th spot in each round.
Having five picks in the first four rounds is something the Colts have not had going into a draft since 2009.
Starting this year, the NFL is now allowing compensatory picks to be traded, meaning the Colts have another resource for their off-season plan.
Predicting compensatory picks can be tricky.
Per the NFL, c*ompensatory free agents are determined by a formula based on salary, playing time and postseason honors. The formula was developed by the NFL Management Council. Not every free agent lost or signed by a club is covered by this formula. *
The Colts were awarded a fourth rounder because of what took place during the team's 2016 offseason.
Losing Coby Fleener (Saints), Jerrell Freeman (Bears) and Dwight Lowery (Chargers) in free agency last year far outweighed the team signing Patrick Robinson (Chargers) and Scott Tolzien (Packers).
A draft pick of 4-144 is the highest compensatory pick the Colts have been granted since 2009.
The analysis from those producing content on Colts.com does not necessarily represent the thoughts of the Indianapolis Colts organization. Any conjecture, analysis or opinions formed by Colts.com content creators is not based on inside knowledge gained from team officials, players or staff.
