Saints Gain Three More Draft Picks Through NFL's Compensatory Process

The Saints pick up three fifth-round picks as part of the NFL's Compensatory process.

The Saints have picked up three more draft picks to use this year. The NFL has announced the compensatory picks for the draft, which sees New Orleans gain three additional fifth-round selections. These came from the losses of David Onyemata (Falcons), Kaden Elliss (Falcons) and Marcus Davenport (Vikings). The team now has nine picks at their disposal to use or package.

Saints 2024 Draft Picks

• Round 1, 14th Overall
• Round 2 (via Broncos), 45th Overall
• Round 5, 149th Overall
• Round 5 (Compensatory), 167th Overall
• Round 5 (Compensatory), 169th Overall
• Round 5 (Compensatory), 174th Overall
• Round 6, 192nd Overall
• Round 6 (via Eagles), 201st Overall
• Round 7 (via Broncos), 230th Overall

It's important to remember that these come at the end of the round starting in Round 3. The 49ers and Rams ended up receiving the most compensatory picks, gaining five additional selections. New Orleans was one of fourteen teams to receive picks, and since 1994, the Saints have been awarded just 17 compensatory picks. That's tied for second-lowest in the league along with the Jets. Only the Browns (13) are lower.

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How Does the Compensatory Process Work?

Compensatory free agents are determined by a formula based on salary, playing time and postseason honors. The formula was developed by the NFL management council. Not every free agent lost or signed by a club is covered by this formula. Clubs that suffer a net loss of CFAs during the prior free agent signing period are eligible to receive a corresponding number of compensatory selections. In addition, a club that lost the same number of CFAs that it gained (no net loss), may be eligible to receive a selection at the end of round seven based on the value of the CFAs lost versus the value of the CFAs gained. No club may receive more than four compensatory picks in any one year. If a club qualifies for more than four compensatory picks after offsetting each CFA lost by each CFA gained of an equal or higher value, the four highest remaining selections will be awarded to the club.