We’ll take our silver linings where we can find them. It’s early, and a lot can change between now and then, but the analysts at Over The Cap currently project the New Orleans Saints to receive a third round compensatory pick in the 2023 NFL draft after losing standout left tackle Terron Armstead to the Miami Dolphins. That’s projected to slot in at No. 98 overall, which is also where the Saints are scheduled to make their pick in 2022 as a comp selection following pass rusher Trey Hendrickson’s departure in 2021.
Things can change in a hurry here, though. This is just a projection based off the latest roster moves. If the Saints sign another qualifying comp free agent (a player whose last contract expired, and who is signed at greater than minimum salary) the scales will balance out and they won’t get this pick for Armstead. That’s why they aren’t getting the fourth rounder they were previously projected to receive after losing free safety Marcus Williams — the corresponding move to sign his replacement Marcus Maye negated that pick.
The comp draft pick formula is still tough to figure out, but we know that its biggest considerations are the contract value signed with a new team and how often the player got on the field with their old team. There are other subtleties to it, sure, but that’s where most of the focus goes.
