The Steelers will enter next month’s draft, which they will host in Pittsburgh, with 12 picks, including four compensatory selections. Perry Knotts / Getty Images
March 9, 2026 4:42 pm EDT
The NFL on Monday announced 33 compensatory draft picks that have been awarded for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Teams earn comp picks primarily when they lose significant players via free agency — the higher a player’s value when his contract expires, the more weight he carries in the NFL’s comp-pick formula. Additionally, a team can secure compensatory picks if another franchise hires away a minority assistant or front-office member, under a 2020 change to the Rooney Rule.
The third-round compensatory pick that the Lions received this year (No. 100) falls under the latter category; the Lions traded that pick to Jacksonville during last year’s draft. The NFL awarded Detroit two compensatory picks (one in 2025, one in ’26) when the Jets hired Aaron Glenn as head coach ahead of last season.
Minnesota, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh also received third-round comp picks in return for losing Sam Darnold, Milton Williams and Dan Moore, respectively, during last offseason’s free-agency cycle. The Vikings’ comp pick at No. 97 is the earliest one in the draft order.
The Steelers, who are hosting this year’s draft, Eagles and Ravens each received four compensatory picks, the most awarded to any team. The 49ers added three picks, all in Round 4.
Here’s the full list of compensatory picks awarded this season:
Mar 10, 2026
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