Even if Greg Hardy plays most of this season with the Cowboys, the Panthers aren’t expecting to receive a compensatory draft pick for their former star defensive end.
Hardy had his suspension reduced from 10 games to four by an arbitrator earlier this month, which led to speculation Carolina was in line to earn a third-round comp pick.
BBR has been reporting since April that was unlikely to happen, which general manager Dave Gettleman confirmed Friday. He’s been told not to anticipate any additional picks when the NFL sorts out its complicated and secretive formula next spring.
“I would challenge anybody to read that thing. I can’t explain it to you, but (director of team administration Rob Rogers) has explained it to me,” Gettleman said.
The big problem is the Panthers likely won’t even qualify to be in the formula. To be eligible for anything better than a seventh-round pick, a team has to have lost more qualifying unrestricted free agents than it gained. The Panthers broke even.
GAINED
S Kurt Coleman
LB Jason Trusnik
CB Charles Tillman
LOST
DE Greg Hardy (Cowboys)
CB James Dockery (Raiders)
OT Byron Bell (Titans)
There’s a chance Carolina could slip back ahead in the gained/lost department if one or more of the Coleman/Trusnik/Tillman group doesn’t make the roster. But according to a league source, Dockery isn’t expected to count in the Panthers’ favor.
On the surface, it looks like Gettleman sacrificed a potential third-round pick for a trio of non-marquee free agents. His challenge, though, was needing to add free agent help while Hardy’s status with the league remained unclear.
Armed with a pair of comp picks this spring, Gettleman maneuvered up in the draft for receiver Devin Funchess and offensive tackle Daryl Williams. He won’t be able to make similar moves next year, but it’s hard to fault him for trying to patch up holes this year.
“Would I like to have three extra comp picks every year? Who wouldn’t? But I don’t constantly sit there and say, ‘Oh, we can’t sign this guy because we’re not going to get a comp pick.’ I’m not going to let that stop me from building a roster,” Gettleman said.
“If there’s a guy out there that could help us win and fills a niche, I’m not going to worry about comp picks.”
Monday’s Pre-Camping with Dave Gettleman Posting Schedule
8 a.m. — Cam Newton’s Offseason
10 a.m. — Negotiations
12 p.m. — Josh Norman
2 p.m. — Current Salary Cap Status
4 p.m. — 2016 Comp Picks
I would roll with Lester and Glanton over Coleman and Trusnik if it means getting a 3rd round comp pick out of the deal.
Even then it’s not a guarantee. That would only get them in the formula. Maybe.
While the better times in the league do tend to make good use of the comp pick process, that’s a function of those teams having already filled out their roster top to bottom through the draft and that depth allows them to let people walk without having to immediately sign someone. A couple more Gettleman drafts and we’ll be in that position as well.
Filling the bottom of the roster is crucial for depth, I agree with Getts that you can’t worry about comp picks, especially when it is such an unclear process. Still excited about the Tillman signing. Thanks and nice series today, looking forward to the next 5.
Someone please explain to me how we “broke even” on free agency. Yes we signed Peanut but he has yet to prove his durability these past two years and who knows what his performance will be like at age 34. We lost Greg Hardy. As much of a low life this guy is, he is one of the best pass rushers in the league and his contract illustrates that. I would love to ask the committee of comp picks how they thought we “broke even.”