The NFL awarded a total of 36 compensatory picks to 17 teams for the 2021 NFL Draft on Wednesday. The Eagles were recipients of two of them for the net loss of qualifying free agents last offseason.
The Eagles were granted a pair of sixth-round selections – No. 223 and No. 224 overall after losing cornerback Ronald Darby, linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill, running back Jordan Howard, and tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai in free agency.
Compensatory picks are determined by a formula created by the NFL Management Council based on salary, playing time, and postseason honors. Not every free agent factors into the equation. Since the advent of compensatory picks in 1994, the Eagles rank sixth in the NFL and fourth in the NFC with 37 compensatory picks (including 2021). Compensatory picks can be included in trades.
The 2021 NFL Draft is set to kick off 50 days from Wednesday. The Eagles' first selection is No. 6 overall.
The NFL also announced on Wednesday that the salary cap for the 2021 season is set at $182.5 million. Teams are able to roll over leftover cap space from the 2020 season, but must be under the salary cap by 4 PM next Wednesday, March 17 when the new league year begins.
(Editor's Note: The NFL originally announced 37 compensatory selections, but incorrectly awarded San Francisco an extra third-round pick this year.)
