The NFL announced on Monday which teams will be receiving compensatory draft picks for the 2012 NFL Draft. As you may or may not know, a team receives these special picks based on a special formula used by the NFL. If a team loses out on many free agents the year before and does not fill those spots with other top tier players via free agency, they are likely to receive a compensatory pick or two.
Compensatory picks begin at the end of the 3rd round and can be given anytime after that. It should also be noted that they always come after the regularly scheduled draft picks at the end of rounds 3-7.
Unfortunately, the Cardinals are stuck with just their regular picks this year and from how things are looking as of now, it will probably be the same next season.
The Cards did not lose any players of huge significance before the 2011 season. The only impact player that wound up signing elsewhere was Steve Breaston, but because of who the Cardinals added, his loss was offset. If you remember, Arizona added Daryn Colledge, Richard Marshall, Nick Eason, Stewart Bradley, Chester Taylor and others last season.
Because of all of those additions, no compensatory picks were given to them.
So far during this offseason, the Cardinals have really only lost one significant player as well. Richard Marshall took his talents to South Beach (yes, I have been waiting to say that) and the team already signed his replacement in William Gay.
2012 has not seen near the type of action in free agency that last year did and Arizona is likely done with any big free agent signings, barring an unforeseen move for a player like Demetrius Bell or Marcus McNeill.
So to recap, the Cardinals will be selecting in rounds 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 (x2), 7.
What do you think about all of this? Do you think the Cards will receive a compensatory pick next season? Tell us in the comments below.
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