NFL Compensatory Picks 2013: Chiefs Should Learn Fate Today

James Lang-USA TODAY Sports

Today is the first day of the NFL owner’s meetings in Phoenix, AZ and it is expected the league will announce compensatory picks this afternoon.

The Baltimore Ravens official website has a pretty good, simple explanation of what compensatory picks are.

"A team losing more or better free agents than it acquires in the previous year is eligible to receive compensatory draft picks. The number of picks a team receives equals the net loss of compensatory free agents up to a maximum of four picks."

In short, if you lose Eric Berry and only pick up Sabby Piscitelli, the NFL may award you an extra draft pick, as well as a sympathy card.

The NFL has a secret formula that they guard pretty closely. People much smarter than me have spent a lot of time trying to figure out the formula and there are a few great websites out there that predict compensatory picks with pretty decent accuracy.

The bonus picks are awarded at the end of each round of the draft, starting with the third round. The picks can’t be traded.

KC is expected to get an extra third-round pick for CB Brandon Carr’s departure. Carr signed a huge contract with the Dallas Cowboys, which should earn the Chiefs that third-rounder. KC may also get a later pick for the loss of QB Kyle Orton, who also signed with Dallas.

Once all the compensatory picks are announced, the final draft order will be set. We’ll let you know what the Chiefs got as soon as it is announced.