The Dallas Cowboys have been granted four compensatory draft picks for the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft, a recognition of personnel decisions and roster departures.
Dallas was awarded three 5th round and one 6th round pick.
Compensatory picks are given to teams based on the free agents they lost in the previous offseason where were signed by other teams.
The value of these picks depends on a variety of factors, including the contracts of the lost free agents, their on-field performance, and the position the team was in during the previous draft.
As of now, the Cowboys are set to receive four additional picks (170, 171, 174, and 211) in the upcoming draft.
These picks will help the Cowboys continue to build their roster and maintain competitive depth, something that is key for a franchise with annual playoff aspirations.
For a team like the Cowboys, the compensatory draft system is an essential tool for maintaining roster balance.
While they aren’t usually active in free agency, the Cowboys usually earn the max number of picks every year because they lose players to free agency without replacing them.
The Cowboys strategically manage their free agent signings and losses in such a way that they qualify for these extra picks.
These picks can become assets.
Leaving Something Behind
In order for the Cowboys to earn these extra picks, they first have to have lost players to other teams.
Here are the list of picks they were awarded, along with the associating player that left in free agency.
- 5th round (170), Dorance Armstrong Jr.
- 5th round (171), Tyler Biadasz
- 5th round (174), Tyron Smith
- 6th round (211), Tony Pollard
The Cowboys lost four starters from their 2023 roster that signed contracts expensive enough to trigger the compensatory formula.
DE Dorance Armstrong and C Tyler Biadasz followed Dan Quinn to Washington, where they helped the Commanders reach the NFC Championship Game.
LT Tyron Smith tried to protect Aaron Rodgers’ blindside with the New York Jets, but he was injured for most of the season. Maybe those who didn’t want him back in Dallas were right after all.
RB Tony Pollard departed for Tennessee, and rushed for his third consecutive 1,000-yard season.
Outlook for 2026
The Cowboys have already lost several players to large contracts with other teams.
Let’s take a look at who has ended up with other teams that may trigger the compensatory formula for the Cowboys.
I imagine the Cowboys will qualify for the max amount after 26 key contributors hit the free agent list when the clock struck zeroes on the 2024 season.
- DE DeMarcus Lawrence (Seattle)
- CB Jourdan Lewis (Jacksonville)
- DE Chauncey Golston (New York Giants)
DeMarcus Lawrence signed with the Seattle Seahawks after apparently not being offered a new contract by the Cowboys.
Lawrence signed a 3yr/$42M deal with the Seahawks, and had some parting words that left Cowboys Nation in his mentions making threats.
CB Jourdan Lewis signed a 3yr/$30M contract to play with the Jacksonville Jaguars, leaving behind an injured and inexperienced cornerback room.
Finally, DE Chauncey Golston chose to remain in the NFC East, signing a 3yr/$19.5M deal to play for the New York Giants.
It stings to see familiar players leave, but at least mid-round draft picks in return can help bolster the roster the following season.
However, signing free agents can cancel out the formula used when players leave in free agency to other teams.
The Cowboys have signed players, but their salaries might not be enough to trigger the compensatory formula.
After G Robert Jones and his $3.75M annual salary, no other free agent signed has an average higher than $3M per season.