The Green Bay Packers are projected to receive two compensatory picks in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. This development stems from their free-agent losses, notably center Josh Myers and linebacker Eric Wilson, who signed with the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings, respectively. However, the forecasted picks will arrive late in the seventh round, raising questions about their potential impact on the team’s future.
According to Nick Korte of OverTheCap.com, the Packers’ compensatory picks will be based on a formula that emphasizes average annual compensation, with playing time serving as a secondary factor. The Packers’ offseason departures included several notable players, such as defensive tackle T.J. Slaton, who signed a two-year, $14.1 million deal with the Bengals, and cornerback Eric Stokes, who joined the Raiders for one year at $4 million. Myers and Wilson’s contracts, valued at $3 million and $2.75 million respectively, contribute to the team’s compensatory pick tally, though Wilson’s selection is particularly precarious as it could end up being the last pick of the draft, often referred to as “Mr. Irrelevant.”
Compensatory picks are awarded to teams that lose more or better free agents than they sign, which means that the Packers are in line for compensation after losing four players last offseason. Despite these gains, the impact of late-round picks historically has been minimal. The Packers have benefited from compensatory picks over the years, amassing a total of 53 from 1994 through 2025, placing them third in the NFL behind the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys.
Notable players acquired through compensatory picks include fourth-round selections such as right tackle Zach Tom, as well as Aaron Jones and center Scott Wells. The last significant seventh-round compensatory pick for the Packers was Wells in 2004, highlighting a concerning trend for late-round selections.
Looking ahead, the Packers face a challenging offseason as they navigate salary-cap constraints. Their list of unrestricted free agents includes left tackle Rasheed Walker, quarterback Malik Willis, receiver Romeo Doubs, linebacker Quay Walker, interior lineman Sean Rhyan, and defensive end Kingsley Enagbare. If the Packers lose more free agents than they sign, they could secure up to four compensatory picks in the 2027 NFL Draft, with the potential for third-round picks based on the departures of Walker and Willis.
The concept of “Mr. Irrelevant” has been a light-hearted tradition since 1976, celebrating the final player selected in the NFL Draft. The Packers participated in this tradition in 1987 with defensive back Norman Jefferson and in 1997 with quarterback Ronnie McAda. Jefferson, a 12th-round pick, played in 14 games over two seasons, while McAda, though he did not make a lasting impact in the league, unknowingly became part of the phenomenon. Reflecting on the experience, McAda remarked, “I had no idea what was going on. I thought to myself, ‘Mr. Irrelevant? Why are they calling me irrelevant?’”
As the Packers prepare for the upcoming draft, the focus will be on maximizing their opportunities, even with the late-round selections. The team’s strategy will be crucial in determining whether these compensatory picks can yield valuable contributions moving forward.