NFL Draft 2025: Full List of Compensatory Picks Released

The NFL released its list of compensatory picks for the 2025 NFL draft, with the Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins leading the way with four additional picks each (the maximum allotment).

The Minnesota Vikings, meanwhile, gained the most valuable comp pick, securing the No. 97 overall selection in the third round. In total, the NFL awarded 35 compensatory selections.

Teams are awarded compensatory picks when they lose more qualifying free agents in the offseason prior than they gain.

As NFL.com's Lance Zierlein wrote last year, "Teams are awarded compensatory draft picks between Rounds 3-7 of the draft based upon a league formula that takes into account a player's average salary per year (APY), snap count and postseason awards. While there is an expected level of compensation for a player based on the amount he has signed for, his playing time (or lack thereof) in the upcoming season could alter the expectation."

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero offered additional context on how teams can end up with comp picks:

To further illustrate the point, last offseason the Ravens saw 14 of their own free agents depart, re-signed seven of their own players and added five external free agents.

Teams like the Ravens and Cowboys seem to prioritize compensatory picks when drawing up their offseason plans:

The practice makes sense, in theory. Players generally get inflated deals on the market once they hit free agency, so extending your key players before their deals run out—and getting draft capital when more expendable players leave in free agency—makes sense from a roster-building and cap management perspective. Players on rookie contracts are much cheaper than players on second and third deals, after all.

The key, of course, is actually hitting on those draft picks and having a strong track record of player development. The Ravens—who have 16 playoff appearances since 2000 and two Super Bowl titles in that time—continue to do both.