The Detroit Lions are set to receive two compensatory picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. The first is a third-round compensatory pick, granted due to the departure of former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who left to become the head coach of the New York Jets.
Compensatory picks are awarded based on a formula that takes into account qualifying free agents who leave a team and those who join it during the offseason. If a team loses as many free agents as it gains, the league typically grants a late-round pick based on the “net value” of the players involved.
If a team loses and gains an equal number of compensatory free agents (CFAs), but the total value of the lost CFAs exceeds the value of the gained CFAs by 300 points or more, the team may receive a “net value” compensatory pick, which is always a 7th-round pick placed immediately after the regular 7th-round compensatory picks.
Compensatory Free Agents (CFAs) are players whose value is determined based on their contract’s Average Per Year (APY), the percentage of snaps they played on offense, defense, and special teams, as well as additional points for being named to the Associated Press All-Pro teams.
Currently, the Lions are slated to receive a 7th-round compensatory pick due to the net value of losing veterans Carlton Davis and Kevin Zeitler. The combined net value of these departures is 363 points, which qualifies the Lions for the pick. The Lions gained cornerback D.J. Reed and defensive tackle Roy Lopez, but their values are less than the combined value of the players lost.
For context, Davis signed a contract with an $18 million APY, and Zeitler signed a one-year, $9 million deal. In contrast, Reed’s contract with the Lions is worth $16 million annually, and Lopez signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract. Other departures, such as defensive back Ifeatu Melifonwu, do not impact the compensatory pick formula, nor do players like Grant Stuard, Rock Ya-Sin, and Kenny Yeboah, whose financials are either unavailable or do not qualify.
It’s also noted that defensive back Avonte Maddox would likely not have signed a contract with the Lions that would qualify for the compensatory pick formula.