The Green Bay Packers are set to receive two compensatory draft picks in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, but their late placement in the seventh round raises questions about their potential impact. According to Nick Korte of OverTheCap.com, the team will gain picks for center Josh Myers and linebacker Eric Wilson, who have signed contracts with the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings, respectively. Notably, the pick for Wilson is particularly precarious, as it is projected to be the last selection of the entire draft, often referred to as “Mr. Irrelevant.”
Compensatory picks are awarded by the NFL based on a formula that evaluates average annual compensation, with playing time as a secondary factor. Teams that lose more high-value free agents than they sign are eligible for these compensatory selections. Last season, the Packers lost four notable players during free agency, including defensive tackle T.J. Slaton, who signed a two-year contract worth $14.1 million with the Bengals, and cornerback Eric Stokes, who joined the Raiders for $4 million for a year.
The Packers’ losses included Myers, who signed a one-year deal for $3 million with the Jets, and Wilson, whose one-year contract with the Vikings was valued at $2.75 million. Although Slaton’s contract could have earned the Packers a sixth-round pick, this potential was offset by their signing of guard Aaron Banks to a four-year deal worth $77 million, leading to a fourth-round pick for the 49ers. Similarly, Wilson’s potential seventh-round pick was nullified by the signing of cornerback Nate Hobbs.
The Packers currently lack a first-round pick due to a previous trade involving Micah Parsons, leaving them with eight overall selections in the upcoming draft. Historically, the Packers have benefited significantly from compensatory picks. From 1994 to 2025, they have accumulated a total of 53 compensatory picks, ranking third behind the Ravens and Cowboys. Notable selections include fourth-round picks like Zach Tom, Josh Sitton, and Aaron Jones, as well as center Scott Wells from the seventh round.
Despite this history, the recent trend in the seventh round has been less promising. The last successful seventh-round compensatory pick was Wells in 2004. As the Packers look ahead, they may face a quieter offseason due to salary-cap constraints. Their current 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.
Considering these factors, the Packers could potentially earn up to four compensatory picks in the 2027 NFL Draft, especially if Walker and Willis perform well enough to warrant third-round choices.
The tradition of “Mr. Irrelevant” has been a notable aspect of the NFL Draft since its inception in 1976. The Packers have participated in this unique event twice, making selections of LSU defensive back Norman Jefferson in 1987 and Army quarterback Ronnie McAda in 1997. Jefferson, a 12th-round pick, played in 14 games over two seasons, while McAda, a seventh-round selection, did not find success in the NFL but gained notoriety for defeating Navy. Reflecting on his experience, McAda recalled, “I had no idea what was going on. I thought to myself, ‘Mr. Irrelevant? Why are they calling me irrelevant?’ I had no clue,” highlighting the unusual nature of this draft designation.
As the Packers prepare for the 2026 draft, the significance of their compensatory picks will depend on their ability to maximize value, especially with the potential for further losses in free agency.
