Bengals get into compensatory game
March 31, 2008 4:14 PM
Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
After picking up only seven compensatory draft choices since the NFL began handing them out in 1994, the Bengals landed four today at the league meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla., matching Baltimore for the league high.
The Bengals could be in line for additional compensatory picks in 2009 after watching Alex Stepanovich, Landon Johnson, Justin Smith and Madieu Williams leave as unrestricted free agents this month. The league awards compensatory picks to teams that suffer net losses in free agency. The Bengals have signed only one UFA from another team this offseason: Antwan Odom.
The Bengals picked up the 97th, 207th, 244th and 246th choices as compensatory picks in the 2008 draft after losing Kevin Kaesviharn, Eric Steinbach, Tony Stewart, Kelley Washington and Anthony Wright (Michael Myers was their only signing)
The Bengals last used the 97th choice when they drafted running back Curtis Keaton from James Madison in 2000. Keaton played in 19 games for the Bengals and six for the Saints during a three-year NFL career. The last five players taken 97th: Florida defensive lineman Ray McDonald (49ers), Michigan State defensive back Eric Smith (Jets), Maryland cornerback Domonique Foxworth (Broncos), Auburn linebacker Reggie Torbor (Giants) and Texas quarterback Chris Simms (Bucs).
Teams cannot trade compensatory picks.
That gives the Bengals the following draft choices: #9, #46, #77, #97, #112, #145, #177, #207, #244 and #246. That's ten in total.
I'm excited for Draft Day.