Colts 2026 free agency departures giving 2027 NFL draft a boost

In addition to the Indianapolis Colts making a number of free agent signings, the team has also seen several of their own free agents sign elsewhere. A few of those departures will actually give the Colts a boost in the 2027 NFL draft. According to Over the Cap , the Colts are currently projected to receive fourth and sixth-round compensatory selections in the 2027 NFL draft following the initial free agency waves.

What are compensatory draft picks? Every draft, the NFL awards at least 32 additional picks for certain players who go from one team to another via free agency. In short, if a team loses more compensatory free agents than they sign, they will get a draft pick in return for the difference.

Not every free agent is a compensatory free agent; there is a formula that takes into account the playing time of that free agent, their salary, and any postseason honors they received. Essentially, the better the player, the better the draft pick that the team receives for losing them. By OTC's calculations, the Colts will receive a fourth-round pick from Kwity Paye signing with the Raiders and a sixth-round pick from Nick Cross signing with Washington.

The Colts also had two additional compensatory picks canceled out. While Braden Smith going to Houston could have netted the Colts a sixth-round pick, signing Arden Key cancelled that out. The addition of Micheal Clemons also cancelled out Neville Gallimore signing with the Bears.