Colts get no compensatory picks for 2016 NFL Draft

The NFL today announced the awarding of 33 compensatory picks for the 2016 NFL Draft and, unsurprisingly, the Indianapolis Colts did not receive any.

The teams with the most compensatory picks are the Cowboys, Patriots, and 49ers, who each got four picks.  The Lions (pick number 95 overall), Patriots (96), Seahawks (97), and Broncos (98) were awarded third round picks.  You can view the full list here.

These compensatory picks are given based on last year's free agency, not this year's.  So when you think about the Colts, it's no surprise that they didn't receive any compensatory picks, as they really didn't lose anyone of note.  The most noteworthy player that the Colts lost last year was defensive end Cory Redding, but even he only played in 12 games and didn't start any.  Furthermore, the Colts offset that by signing several free agents themselves, including Frank Gore, Andre Johnson, Trent Cole, Kendall Langford and others.  It was no surprise, then, that the Colts didn't receive any compensatory picks.

Next year, however, could be a different case.  Having lost free agents Coby Fleener and Dwight Lowery (and possibly Jerrell Freeman, which remains to be seen) and not having signed any yet, the Colts seem poised to gain a compensatory pick or two next year - when the picks become tradable.  General manager Ryan Grigson even mentioned this offseason that the compensatory picks would factor into the Colts' thinking in free agency this year, as they weren't opposed to letting some guys walk in exchange for picks.  So next year, we could see the Colts get awarded a compensatory pick or two, but it's no surprise to see them get none this year.