Broncos awarded valuable compensatory pick

DENVER — John Elway’s job just got a little bit easier.

On Friday, the NFL awarded the Denver Broncos a third-round compensatory pick, No. 99 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.

With the addition of the compensatory pick, the Broncos now have 10 overall selections in April’s draft, including four selections in the top 100.

Compensatory picks are awarded based on a specific formula weighing free agents gained the previous offseason with players that left. The most notable loss Denver had last offseason, which led to them receiving the third-best compensatory pick in the league this year, was tackle Russell Okung who signed a four-year, $53 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers.

The 32 compensatory picks that were awarded on Friday were divided among 15 teams. The Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers and Oakland Raiders all were awarded four, which was the most in the league. Denver’s third-round compensatory pick was the only one they received.

With compensatory picks awarded, the Broncos now know exactly how many picks they’ll have in the draft, barring any moves they make.

Their draft stock includes the No. 5 overall pick as well as No. 40, No. 71 and No. 99. In addition, they will have two fourth-round picks, two fifth-round picks, a sixth-round pick and a seventh-rounder.