Miami Dolphins could get 2020 compensatory picks this off-season
By Brian Miller
The NFL released the full slate of compensatory draft picks a couple of days ago for the 2019 draft and as expected, the Miami Dolphins were given none.
That might not be the case in 2020 if several players leave via free agency. The Miami Dolphins have decisions to make but those decisions could put the Dolphins in place for comp picks in the 2020 draft.
Compensatory picks are distributed by the NFL using a formula that no one really understands 100%. It involves the New England Patriots though. That’s a joke. The Patriots received four this year and two of them are in the 3rd round. Next year Miami would be blessed to get two.
What is known, or thought to be known is that the picks are distributed based contract comparisons to players lost vs. players signed. The Dolphins are not expected to make any big splashes this year so the comparison of contracts should be light if the Dolphins lose a couple of players.
The two biggest names that could bring Miami draft compensation are Ja’Wuan James and Cameron Wake. James is expected to test the market and of the two he has the most potential to add a 3rd or 4th round comp pick ahead of the 2020 draft. Wake will likely sign a one or two-year deal if he leaves Miami and it’s unclear at what salary level he will land. Perhaps one of the later compensatory picks for him.
Miami could also lose William Hayes, Frank Gore, MarQueis Gray, and Stephone Anthony. None of them will break the bank when they leave the Dolphins but one decent contract might put the Dolphins in line for a late round comp pick.
The compensatory draft picks is where Bill Belichick has done very well at manipulating the system. Probably because he has the formula. No seriously. While NFL teams are not given that formula Belichick has either had it handed to him or has figured it out. He is smart enough to accomplish the latter and as to the former, well, they do cheat.
Unfortunately the list of potential free agents leaving the Dolphins this year really won’t do much for next years compensatory assignments but there is potential for one or two.