Falcons receive no compensatory picks in 2015

When the NFL announced the number of compensatory picks awarded to teams for the 2015 NFL Draft, the Falcons weren't on the list.

Since 1994, the league has awarded compensatory picks to teams who lose a greater quantity of free agents or more talented free agents than the free agent players they acquire in any given offseason. A total of 32 compensatory draft picks are awarded annually. The formula which determines whether or not a free agent's departure justifies awarding his former team with a compensatory pick includes salary, playing time, Pro Bowl status and other postseason awards.

None of this matters to the Falcons this season, because the free agents who departed last offseason did not qualify the team for any compensatory picks. The Falcons retained many of their key free agents in the 2014 offseason -- Joe Hawley, Jonathan Babineaux, and Corey Peters being the biggest names -- and also acquired Jonathan Asamoah, Devin Hester, Tyson Jackson, Paul Soliai, and the list goes on. The players who departed, guys like Chase Coffman and Dominique Franks, weren't productive enough to outweigh the free agents Atlanta added last offseason.

It is unfortunate, as the Falcons are potentially facing a loss of one or more draft picks as punishment for Decibacle, and a compensatory pick or two, especially in the third round or so, might have softened that impending blow a bit. Alas, that was not to be this season. Next season may be a different scenario, with the Falcons losing players like Sean Weatherspoon and Corey Peters to free agency.

Your thoughts on compensatory picks and the lack thereof for the Falcons?