The NFL announced on Friday the compensatory pick details for the 2024 NFL Draft, revealing that the Buffalo Bills will receive a pick at the end of Round 4, specifically pick 133 overall.
This is the sole compensatory pick allotted to the Bills for this draft, as determined by the NFL Management Council. Buffalo secured pick 133 due to the departure of free-agent linebacker Tremaine Edmunds last spring, a former first-round draft pick for the Bills. Despite expectations for a third-round compensatory pick, Edmunds’ departure only garnered Buffalo the fourth-round selection.
The process of awarding compensatory picks lacks transparency, with the NFL never publicly disclosing the exact methodology. This has sparked significant discussion during the offseason, although some information is available, and outlets like Over The Cap attempt to fill in the gaps. Factors in determining compensatory picks include salary, playing time, postseason honors, and the loss of minority employees who ascend to head coaching or executive positions with other NFL teams.
ESPN Buffalo Bills beat reporter Alaina Getzenberg noted on “The Sports Bar” that playing time is a consideration in determining compensatory picks, and the allocation of picks to each team is influenced by the gains and losses of other teams. In the case of the Bills, their compensatory picks were influenced by the signings of wide receiver Deonte Harty and offensive guard Connor McGovern, offsetting the losses of running back Devin Singletary and quarterback Case Keenum, respectively.
Despite Edmunds signing a significant contract with the Chicago Bears, it did not secure the Bills a third-round compensatory pick. Questions have been raised about Edmunds’ injury-related absence during his time with the Bears. The lack of transparency surrounding the compensatory pick process has led to uncertainty, with conflicting reports and discussions, including those by Nick Korte of Over The Cap, highlighting discrepancies in the data. The hope is to rectify any inaccuracies before the start of the 2024 league year and free agency.
