The NFL announced it awarded 32 compensatory picks to 23 teams for the NFL draft in April, but the Chicago Bears weren't one of the teams given extra selections.
According to league rules, a team losing more or better compensatory free agents than it acquires in the previous year is eligible to receive compensatory draft picks. The number of picks a team is allotted equals the net loss of its compensatory free agents, up to a maximum of four. The 32 compensatory picks announced Friday supplement the regular picks for the seven-round draft.
Compensatory picks were positioned between the third and seventh rounds of the draft, and are based on the value of the free agents lost the previous year through a formula based on salary, playing time and postseason awards. The formula was devised by the NFL Management Council, and not every free agent lost or signed by a team is covered by the formula.
The Bears didn't lose any compensatory free agents in 2010, but signed three players -- Julius Peppers, Chester Taylor and Brandon Manumaleuna -- that led to compensatory selections being awarded to their former teams (Carolina, Minnesota and San Diego).
Although the Bears didn't receive any compensatory picks for 2011, the club has been awarded 17 compensatory selections since 1994.
Michael C. Wright covers the Bears for ESPNChicago.com and ESPN 1000.