Breaking Down the AFC North's Compensatory Draft Picks

The NFL handed down compensatory draft picks today—32 total, going to 15 teams—and three AFC North teams each picked up some extra ammunition in this year's draft.

The big divisional winner is the Cleveland Browns. The Browns already had nine picks heading into the draft, but have added four more—two in the sixth round (pick Nos. 204 and 205) and two in the seventh (Nos. 245 and 247), thanks to losing seven players to free agency last year.

The Pittsburgh Steelers gained three seventh-round draft picks (Nos. 240, 246 and 248), increasing their overall number to 10 picks this year.

The Baltimore Ravens also picked up a pair of compensatory picks, one in the fourth round (pick No. 132) and one in the fifth (No. 169), in return for five free agents snagged by other teams in 2011.

Only the Cincinnati Bengals were left without compensatory picks.

The Bengals added four free agents last year, losing only two. But the two they lost—cornerback Johnathan Joseph and offensive guard Evan Mathis, two big-name players—should have resulted in at least one compensatory pick.

Apparently, the league did not agree, and the Bengals will have to be satisfied with the nine draft picks they already have at their disposal this year.

Even later-round compensatory picks have considerable value. It allows teams to target players that could otherwise have fallen to the wayside, ones that they'd have to potentially haggle over in the undrafted free agent market.

Clearly, this scenario benefits the Browns the most. With 13 total draft picks, the constantly-rebuilding team can pick up both instant playmakers as well as roster depth in their ongoing attempt to become competitive in the AFC North.

Additional picks for the Steelers and Ravens can also potentially help them replace the players they've lost to free agency or had to release for cap reasons.

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