The 2026 NFL Draft just finished, but there are already things being set in motion ahead for next year's draft.
The Indianapolis Colts are expected to receive two compensatory picks in the 2027 NFL Draft, currently projected as a fourth- and a seventh-round pick. This, according to OverTheCap.com.
That would give the Colts eight picks in 2027: none in the first round (Sauce Gardner trade), one in the second, one in the third, two in the fourth, one in each of the fifth and sixth rounds, and two in the seventh.
The Colts are projected to receive a fourth-round comp. pick for the loss of defensive end Kwity Paye, who signed a deal worth $16 million per year with the Las Vegas Raiders.
They're also projected to receive a seventh-round pick for losing defensive tackle Neville Gallimore to the Chicago Bears. Gallimore signed a deal worth $5.06 million.
Former Colts right tackle Braden Smith signed a $10 million per-year deal with the Houston Texans, and safety Nick Cross went to the Washington Commanders for $6.5 million annually, but those were canceled out by the Colts signing defensive ends Arden Key ($10M APY) and Micheal Clemons ($5.33M APY).
Oftentimes, what a team does or doesn't do in the offseason toward free agency, or the timing of which things are done, is because of how their actions may affect the comp. pick formula.
In the simplest of terms, teams receive comp. picks by losing more than they've gained in the period of free agency between when the new league year begins each March and the end of the annual draft. This year's period ended on 4:00 p.m. ET on Mon., April 27.
Comp. pick values are determined by annual salary, playing time, and other performance benchmarks.
While the Colts are currently expected to receive a fourth-rounder for losing Paye, the value can still change based on these factors.
Now, free agents that the Colts can sign are just considered "free agents," not unrestricted or restricted. Signing free agents now doesn't count against a team's ability to earn comp. picks.
Former Colts players who hit free agency this offseason but who are now considered street free agents are running back Ameer Abdullah, running back Salvon Ahmed, linebacker Buddy Johnson, defensive tackle Eric Johnson, cornerback Chris Lammons, defensive end Tyquan Lewis, safety George Odum, linebacker Jacob Phillips, linebacker Germaine Pratt, quarterback Philip Rivers, and defensive tackle Chris Wormley.
There are several unsigned players on the free agent market who make sense for the Colts to sign, who now will not affect their ability to earn comp. picks: wide receiver Jauan Jennings as well as defensive ends Joey Bosa, defensive end A.J. Epenesa, Jadeveon Clowney, Clelin Ferrell, and Derek Barnett.