National Football League

Patriots get 4 compensatory picks

Published Mar. 22, 2010 11:37 p.m. ET

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The New England Patriots are the big winner for losing free agents last year.

The Patriots have been awarded the maximum of four compensatory picks in April's NFL draft. The selections will come in the sixth round (one, No. 205 overall) and seventh round (three, Nos. 247, 248 and 250).

New England lost Heath Evans, Jabar Gaffney, Larry Izzo, LaMont Jordan and Lonie Paxton before the 2009 season, and signed only Brandon McGowan.

In all, 32 such picks were given out Monday, with 19 teams getting at least one.

Carolina, Pittsburgh and Tennessee each get three, while Atlanta, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Philadelphia receive two.

Getting one compensatory choice will be Green Bay, Detroit, Jacksonville, Miami, Minnesota, Oakland, St. Louis, San Diego, Seattle, Tampa Bay and San Francisco.

Compensatory picks are determined by a formula based on salary, playing time and postseason honors. A team losing more or better players than it acquires is eligible. The picks can't be traded.

The Bengals have the highest compensatory spot, the 33rd pick in the third round (96th overall). They lost T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Stacy Andrews and Ryan Fitzpatrick, while signing only J.T. O'Sullivan before the '09 season.

The Titans were given the next selection. They lost Albert Haynesworth, Chris Carr, Brandon Jones, Eric King, Daniel Loper and Chris Simms, and signed Jovan Haye, Nate Washington and Mark Jones.

Since 1994, when compensatory picks first were awarded, Baltimore (29) and Dallas (28) have gotten the most. Cleveland has gotten the fewest, one.

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