THE Dallas Cowboys have been awarded extra draft picks due to a little-known rule.
The Cowboys will receive four picks in April’s NFL Draft based on their loses in last year’s free agency.
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Compensatory picks are awarded to teams in the third through seventh rounds.
The picks are given out based on teams losing more free agents than they acquired last offseason.
Compensatory free agents are determined by an NFL formula based on salary, playing time, and awards.
The picks are also handed out based on the previous year’s free agent losses, so the Dallas’ compensation comes from 2024 players.
Other compensatory picks are given out for minorities hired as head coaches or general managers.
Dallas was awarded three fifth-round picks and one sixth-rounder for losing Dorance Armstrong, Tyler Biadasz, Dante Fowler, Tony Pollard, and Tyron Smith.
The Cowboys weren’t the only team to make out with a large haul of picks this offseason though.
The Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens both received the maximum of four compensatory draft picks.
Miami was awarded the picks for losing Christian Wilkins, Robert Hunt, Andrew Van Ginkel, Raekwon Davis, DeShon Elliott, Brandon Jones, and Cedrick Wilson in 2024.
They now have an extra third and fourth-round pick, plus two seventh-round picks.
Baltimore got their picks for losing Jadeveon Clowney, Ronald Darby, Devin Duvernay, Gus Edwards, Patrick Queen, John Simpson, Geno Stone and Kevin Zeitler in 2024.
The Ravens received a fourth and fifth-round pick plus two extra sixth-rounders.
The San Francisco 49ers also received four picks, but one of them came from DeMeco Ryans leaving to become the Houston Texans’ head coach.
The Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants both followed up by receiving three compensatory picks.
NFL important dates 2025 season
March 12 – Free Agency begins
April 24-26 – NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin
September 4 – 2025 season opener (TBC vs Eagles)
November 27 – Thanksgiving Day triple header
January 4, 2026 – End of regular-season
February 8, 2026 – Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California
In total, 35 extra picks were handed out for the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Cowboys now have 11 picks to use, but seven of them come in the fifth round or later.
They pick at No. 12 in the first, second, and third round, but have no picks in the fourth round.
Dallas is expected to take an offensive weapon with their first-round pick.
