Bengals projected to receive more comp picks in 2018

After equalling their biggest haul since 1992 with 11 draft picks this year, the Cincinnati Bengals could match that total with four more compensatory picks in 2018.

The NFL has never revealed the formula used to award compensatory picks, but the basic element is that picks are awarded to teams who lose more or better free agents and they acquire.

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The Bengals lost six qualifying unrestricted free agents this offseason in tackle Andrew Whitworth, guard Kevin Zeitler, defensive tackle Domata Peko, running back Rex Burkhead, defensive end Margus Hunt and linebacker Karlos Dansby. And they acquired two in linebacker Kevin Minter and offensive lineman Andre Smith.

After May 9, any free agent signings will not count toward the 2018 formula.

Due to similar salary structures, Peko and Minter will cancel each other out, as will Burkhead and Smith, leaving the Bengals with four picks based on the losses of Zeitler, Whitworth, Hunt and Dansby.

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However, the number of comp picks is capped at 32, and Overthecap.com projects Hunt 32nd and Dansby 33rd. If that’s what the NFL formula spits out, the Bengals will only receive three comp picks.

According to the overthecap.com formula, the Bengals will receive a third-round pick for Zeitler, a fifth for Whitworth and a seventh for Hunt.

The four comp picks the Bengals received in 2017 resulted from the losses of Marvin Jones (fourth round), Mohamed Sanu (fifth), Reggie Nelson (sixth) and Andre Smith (seventh).

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