The Ravens, per usual, have a few projected compensatory selection for 2026 after multiple players departed in free agency.
Since the creation of the NFL’s compensatory draft pick program, the Baltimore Ravens have drafted 60 players to recuperate value from their lost free agents. In the 2025 NFL draft, they may add four more (if the compensatory picks are not traded), as they received a fourth-, fifth- and two sixth-round compensatory picks. And setting the stage for the 2026 NFL Draft, the Ravens are projected another three.
Originally, it was uncertain if they’d be at two or three, depending upon offensive lineman Josh Jones. With the contract details now released on overthecap.com, Nick Korte projects the Ravens may nab a third pick for the time being.
Looks like Josh Jones got enough ($4M) to qualify as a compensatory free agent.
That adds a 7th round 2026 comp pick on the board to the Ravens.https://t.co/KrYaCltGf5
— Nick Korte (@nickkorte) March 21, 2025
According to Korte’s projections, the Ravens are in line to receive two fifth-round compensatory picks and a seventh-round compensatory pick for the losses of cornerback Brandon Stephens, offensive lineman Patrick Mekari and Jones.
The Ravens have a strong affinity for compensatory picks; according to Korte in his time projecting compensatory picks, he notes the Ravens are “Definitely the most mindful” of making decisions to not impact their potential additions to the formula by signing players — or doing so with contracts that limit the impact.
Most recently, the Ravens did so by signing backup quarterback Cooper Rush to a deal that had his Annual Percentage Yield marginally under the threshold to avoid losing a potential fifth- or seventh-round compensatory pick.
And we got our answer promptly from @jeffzrebiec.
$3.1M APY should be right at that perfect place where Cooper Rush won’t qualify as a compensatory free agent unless he has to play most of the season.https://t.co/27RSKJNEVf
— Nick Korte (@nickkorte) March 16, 2025
Compensatory picks have become a true avenue for the Ravens to further build and develop NFL players to keep them affording their high-end talent and recuperating value when their players depart. And throughout the franchise’s history, they’ve added notable NFL starters.
Notable Ravens Compensatory Picks
- 1999: OL Edwin Mulitalo
- 2005: QB Derek Anderson
- 2006: P Sam Koch
- 2007: FB Le’Ron McClain
- 2008: S Haruki Nakamura
- 2011: OLB Pernell McPhee
- 2013: C Ryan Jensen
- 2013: OT Ricky Wagner
- 2013: FB Kyle Juszczyk
- 2014: DE Brent Urban
- 2015: TE Nick Boyle
- 2018: C Bradley Bozeman
- 2020: LB Malik Harrison
- 2022: TE Isaiah Likely