Steelers awarded compensatory draft pick after 3rd round, No. 102 choice overall
The compensatory draft pick the Pittsburgh Steelers were anticipating will be the 38th pick of the third round and the No. 102 overall draft choice.
The NFL unveiled the 32 compensatory picks that were awarded Tuesday to 15 teams. The Steelers have only one of those picks.
Compensatory picks are determined by a formula that takes into account salary, playing time and postseason honors. The Steelers were awarded a third-round pick because they lost running back Le’Veon Bell and tight end Jesse James while signing cornerback Steven Nelson. Teams must lose more free agents than they sign.
The Steelers also lost special teams player L.J. Fort to free agency, but when he was let go by the Philadelphia Eagles, that put the Steelers in danger of losing their compensatory pick. They became compliant by releasing free-agent wide receiver Donte Moncrief.
The Steelers were awarded one of 10 picks after the third round. Eight picks were awarded after the fourth round, two after the fifth round, three after the sixth round and nine after the seventh round.
The New England Patriots will receive four compensatory picks, the most allowed under league rules. The Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks will have three comp picks apiece.
The addition of a compensatory pick means the Steelers will have one selection in the second and third rounds, two in the fourth round and single picks in the sixth and seventh rounds.
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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