The Ravens are officially entering a new chapter. With John Harbaugh stepping away after a remarkable run, Baltimore isn’t tearing it all down, but make no mistake-change is coming. The front office, led by GM Eric DeCosta, is positioned to reshape key parts of the roster, and once again, the Ravens are poised to lean on one of their greatest organizational strengths: the compensatory draft pick formula.
Baltimore used all 11 of its selections in the 2025 NFL Draft, and it looks like DeCosta will have another full toolbox heading into 2026. Thanks to a wave of free-agent departures last offseason, the Ravens are projected to receive four compensatory picks in the upcoming draft, according to Over The Cap’s Nick Korte.
How the Compensatory Pick Process Works
Let’s break it down. The NFL awards up to 32 compensatory picks each year, and while every team is eligible, not everyone gets a slice of the pie.
The key is the net loss of qualifying unrestricted free agents-if a team loses more than it gains, it’s in line for compensation. But there’s a cap: no team can receive more than four compensatory picks in a single year.
The league uses a formula that considers average salary per year (APY), snap counts, and postseason honors to determine the value of each lost player. It’s not just about the contract they sign-how much they play and how well they perform also factor in. That’s why the final results won’t be locked in until after the 2025 season wraps.
Who the Ravens Lost-and What They Might Get Back
Baltimore saw a handful of notable contributors walk in free agency, and those losses are now expected to pay off in the form of draft capital. Among the key departures: Patrick Mekari (Jaguars), Brandon Stephens (Jets), Malik Harrison (Steelers), Josh Jones (Seahawks), and Tre'Davious White (Bills).
On the flip side, the Ravens did bring in DeAndre Hopkins, and his addition cancels out one of the potential compensatory picks. But based on projections, Baltimore is still in line to receive two fifth-round selections and two seventh-rounders.
Stephens and Mekari are projected to bring in those fifth-round picks. Both were reliable, high-snap players during their time in Baltimore, and their new contracts reflect that value. Jones is expected to yield a seventh-rounder, while White-assuming he logs enough playing time in Buffalo-could generate a second pick in that round.
A Familiar Strategy Paying Off Again
This isn’t new territory for the Ravens. In fact, no team in the NFL has mastered the art of collecting compensatory picks quite like Baltimore.
They maxed out with four extra picks in 2025, and they’re on track to do it again in 2026. It’s a testament to the organization’s long-term planning and disciplined approach to free agency.
The Ravens don’t just let players walk-they let them walk at the right time, then use the draft to reload. That’s how you stay competitive without constantly chasing big-money free agents. It’s a calculated system that’s become part of the Ravens’ DNA.
The Road Ahead
The NFL Management Council won’t finalize the official compensatory picks until after the 2025 season, and only players signed before April 28 as unrestricted free agents qualify. That means players who were released by their previous teams don’t count in the formula, which is why only certain additions and losses are factored in.
As it stands, only two teams-Baltimore and Pittsburgh-are projected to receive the maximum of four compensatory picks in the 2026 draft. For the Ravens, it’s another opportunity to build through the draft and stay ahead of the curve in a league that never stops evolving.
With a new era beginning in Baltimore, the foundation remains the same: smart roster management, strategic patience, and a front office that knows exactly how to play the long game.