Compensatory Draft Picks Released; Panthers Are Big Winners

The NFL announced 32 compensatory picks for 23 NFL teams on Monday. The formula used to determine compensatory picks is a secret around the NFL and it's never been released exactly how the league determines who receives a compensatory pick but 

Under the rules for compensatory draft selections, a team losing more or better compensatory free agents than it acquires in the previous year is eligible to receive compensatory draft picks.

The formula has something to do with salary, postseason honors and playing time but we're not quite sure exactly how it works. Basically, if you lose a top free agent to free agency, you could be eligible to receive a draft pick -- from rounds 3-7 -- in return. These are additional picks added onto the already existent draft order. It's a way of keeping the competitive balance in the league.

The highest compensatory pick goes to the Carolina Panthers, which isn't a surprise with DE Julius Peppers leaving via free agency.  Here's the complete list: