The Green Bay Packers are poised to receive two compensatory draft picks in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. While this news offers a glimpse of potential future benefits, the picks are projected to be late in the seventh round, raising questions about their overall impact. According to Nick Korte of OverTheCap.com, the Packers will earn these picks as compensation for the departures of center Josh Myers and linebacker Eric Wilson, who signed contracts with the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings, respectively. However, the pick associated with Wilson is particularly precarious, as it is expected to be the final pick of the entire draft, often referred to as “Mr. Irrelevant.”
Compensatory picks are awarded by the NFL based on a formula that primarily considers the average annual compensation of lost free agents, with playing time as a secondary factor. Teams that lose more valuable free agents than they sign are eligible for these additional selections. Last offseason, the Packers lost four players to free agency. Defensive tackle T.J. Slaton signed a two-year, $14.1 million deal with the Bengals, cornerback Eric Stokes agreed to a one-year, $4 million contract with the Raiders, Myers took a one-year, $3 million deal with the Jets, and Wilson signed for $2.75 million with the Vikings.
However, the compensation for Slaton’s contract, which could have warranted a sixth-round pick, was offset by the Packers’ signing of guard Aaron Banks to a four-year, $77 million contract. Similarly, Wilson’s prospective seventh-round pick was negated by the signing of cornerback Nate Hobbs.
The Packers are currently without a first-round pick due to the trade involving Micah Parsons. They hold a total of eight selections in the upcoming draft. Historically, the Packers have been significant beneficiaries of compensatory picks, ranking third in the league with 53 compensatory selections from 1994 to 2025, trailing only the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys.
Although the franchise has seen success with its compensatory picks in the past, including notable players like Zach Tom and Aaron Jones, the recent trend has been less promising, particularly for seventh-round selections. The last successful seventh-round compensatory pick for the Packers was center Scott Wells in 2004.
Looking ahead, the Packers have a significant number of unrestricted free agents this offseason, including left tackle Rasheed Walker, quarterback Malik Willis, receiver Romeo Doubs, linebacker Quay Walker, interior lineman Sean Rhyan, and defensive end Kingsley Enagbare. Given the team’s salary-cap constraints, the offseason may be quieter regarding new signings. This scenario could lead to the Packers receiving up to four compensatory picks in the 2027 NFL Draft, potentially including third-round choices for Walker and Willis.
The concept of “Mr. Irrelevant” became well-known in 1976, celebrating the last pick in the NFL Draft. The Packers have made this selection twice, with Norman Jefferson in 1987 and Ronnie McAda in 1997. Jefferson, a 12th-round pick, managed to play 14 games over two seasons, while McAda, a seventh-round pick, did not find success in the league but notably had a memorable victory over Navy during his college career. McAda reflected on his selection, saying, “I had no idea what was going on,” illustrating the unique nature of being drafted last overall.
As the Packers navigate their future, the forthcoming draft picks will be closely monitored, even if their value remains uncertain. The franchise’s ability to leverage compensatory picks could shape its strategy in the coming years, particularly as it addresses needs within a constrained financial landscape.
