NFL compensatory picks: Arizona Cardinals awarded final pick in NFL Draft

The NFL announced compensatory picks on Tuesday. The Arizona Cardinals picked one up, gaining an extra seventh round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. It will be the final pick in the seventh round -- the final pick in the draft.

That means the Cardinals will get to select Mr. Irrelevant, the title given to the player selected last.

It isn't the first time the Cardinals have had the final pick in the draft. I recalled the Cardinals having it one other time since coming to Arizona. But it was Adrian Wilson, a former Cardinals star, who knew who it was.

In 2001, BYU tight end Tevita Ofahengaue was the man. Of course, Wilson would remember because he was part of the 2001 Cardinals draft class.

Compensatory picks are awarded every year based on a formula that considers free agent losses and free agent signings from the previous offseason. In 2014, the Cardinals lost cornerback Antoine Cason, tight end Jim Dray, linebacker Karlos Dansby and receiver Andre Roberts. They signed offensive linemen Jared Veldheer and Ted Larsen and receiver Ted Ginn.

Compensatory picks cannot be traded. 32 are awarded each year. They were awarded to 14 teams this year. This year, the Chiefs, Broncos and Seahawks each received four picks. The Ravens and Texans each received three. The Patriots, Bengals, 49ers, Panthers and Packer each received two. The Cards, Rams, Colts and Steelers received one.

Arizona has been awarded 17 compensatory picks since 1994. To compare, the Ravens have been awarded the most with 44 since 1994.

Arizona will now have eight picks in next month's draft -- one in each of the first six rounds and two in the seventh round.