With the 2017 NFL Draft approaching, the NFL has announced the compensatory picks for the 2017 Draft. The compensatory pick system is designed to help teams rebuild when they lose a key free agent. The value of the pick depends on the contract signed by the lost free agent and his playing time. For more information, please visit Over the Cap's website, where they do an excellent job of projecting compensatory picks. In the 2016 offseason, the Patriots added ED/LB Shea McClellin and TE Clay Harbor while losing DT Akiem Hicks and S Tavon Wilson. Wilson and McClellin wound up cancelling each other out.
Patriots awarded a 5th round compensatory selection and will also receive a 3rd round pick from Cleveland for Jamie Collins trade
