Amidst all the free agency chaos during the new league year, another key piece of information was released; 2026 NFL Draft Compensatory Picks. As expected, the Seattle Seahawks received no compensatory picks for 2026 and will have four draft picks (rounds 1, 2, 3, and 6) barring any trades. By the way, the highest awarded comp pick went to the Minnesota Vikings after the Seahawks signed Sam Darnold and went on to win the Super Bowl.
Compensatory picks are given to NFL teams who have a net loss when it comes to free agency. This formula accounts for free agents whose contracts expire, not street free agents (those cut by their former team). For Seattle, since they signed quarterback, Sam Darnold, edge rusher, Demarcus Lawrence, and others, lost any potential chance they had at obtaining compensatory picks in 2026.
This compensatory pick formula is another thing to keep in mind when it comes to the free agency madness that is happening this year. When it comes to determining which round a team earns compensatory picks, the NFL looks to the value of the free agent contracts signed. The largest contracts signed in free agency net the team who lost the player a pick as high as the third round. This continues through the 7th round until usually the 32 largest contracts are accounted for (although this year 33 picks were awarded).
For Seattle, they have already lost running back Kenneth Walker III to the Kansas City Chiefs, safety Coby Bryant to the Chicago Bears, and edge rusher Boye Mafe to the Cincinnati Bengals. These three alone would likely put Seattle in a good position to net three compensatory picks in 2027.
Of course, there is a lot more action to go. The Seahawks have other big names still on the board such as Rashid Shaheed and Riq Woolen. When those two players sign, that could also add to the Seahawks’ total of compensatory picks. That being said, Seattle could still go sign a few free agents who would cancel out these picks they could be receiving. Because of this formula, the Seahawks could strategically look to sign street free agents rather than unrestricted free agents whose contracts expired.
