2012 NFL Draft: Winners Abound from NFL's Compensatory Picks Announcement

The following teams are among the big winners from the NFL's announcement of compensatory picks in the 2012 NFL draft Monday:

Green Bay Packers

The Packers lost Cullen Jenkins and Daryn Colledge, both starters from their 2010 Super Bowl team during free agency last offseason. In return, Packers GM and widely respected drafter Ted Thompson will get four picks—including two in the fourth-round—to play with this April.

The Packers now have 12 total picks, so it remains possible Thompson could move up early in the draft to take an impact defender. Big win overall for Thompson and the Packers.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns began cleaning house last offseason by letting several free agents go, which means they'll also have four more picks to work with in the 2012 draft.

For a roster that is certainly in rebuild mode, the Browns need all the picks they can get. It is now up to GM Tom Heckert and president Mike Holmgren to make the extra ammunition count. 

Oakland Raiders

The Raiders were lacking four picks in the 2012 draft after several trades that left their pick cupboard bare.

While you really can't replace first and second-round picks, the Raiders will be happy to know that losing Nnamdi Asomugha last summer resulted in gaining a third-round pick—the highest selection awarded Monday—in April's draft.

New GM Reggie McKenzie will really need to hit on the awarded third-rounder for the Raiders' draft to have a chance.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings saw Sidney Rice, Tarvaris Jackson, Ben Leber and Ray Edwards leave Minnesota in free agency last summer. Overall, the toll of their losses was a contributing factor to the Vikings' fall to three wins in 2011.

They'll now get a chance to continue their rebuild with two fourth-round picks. Considering how many holes this Vikings' roster currently has, mid-round picks are like gold.

New York Jets

The Jets also saw several players walk in free agency, as Braylon Edwards, Shaun Ellis, Drew Coleman, Brad Smith and Steve Weatherford left New York in 2011.

For their losses, the Jets were granted a total of four picks, with two in the sixth-round and two in the seventh. They obviously aren't high value picks, but you'd have to think Jets management can hit on at least one of four.