Patriots receive four compensatory picks for 2020 NFL Draft

The New England Patriots were awarded two third-round picks and two sixth-round picks for the upcoming NFL Draft in Las Vegas.

The NFL handed out 32 total compensatory draft picks to teams who lost major free agents during the 2019 offseason. These picks come off the back of a spring which saw New England lose both Trey Flowers and Trent Brown to the free agency market, among others.

The Patriots led the way in terms of teams receiving compensation — they were the only franchise to receive the maximum of four picks. A total of 14 teams split the other 28 picks amongst themselves.

The addition of four picks boosts the Patriots to 12 total picks in the draft, including three third-round picks. The stockpile of picks comes at a good time, with this offseason likely deciding whether or not the Patriots will be a competitive team next season as they enter uncharted territory at the quarterback position.

Of course, having so many picks also opens the door for potential trades, whether New England would be looking to trade up in the draft or to bring in a star player from another team. There’s also still the possibility that New England could be penalized a draft pick for their part in Spygate 2.0 back in December.

With these new picks, the Patriots’ stockpile for the 2020 NFL Draft in Las Vegas looks like this:

(* is compensatory pick)

1st Round, Pick 23

3rd Round, Pick 87

3rd Round, Pick 98*

3rd Round, Pick 100*

4th Round, Pick 125 (from Chicago)

6th Round, Pick 196 (from Denver)

6th Round, Pick 204 (from Houston)

6th Round, Pick 212*

6th Round, Pick 213*

7th Round, Pick 230 (from Atlanta)

7th Round, Pick 235 (from Philadelphia)

7th Round, Pick 241 (from Seattle)

The 2020 NFL Draft will take place from April 23-25 in Las Vegas, Nevada — assuming nothing changes with the coronavirus and its impact on the sporting world between now and then.