LA Chargers news: Bolts predicted to get 4 compensatory picks in 2022

Some of the free-agent losses the LA Chargers suffered during the offseason will lead to some compensatory picks awarded in 2022.

If there’s a silver lining to the LA Chargers losing some key free agents during the offseason, such as quarterback Tyrod Taylor and offensive lineman Dan Feeney, it’s the fact the league will often reward compensatory picks for qualifying players who wind up earning high-value contracts with their new respective teams during the offseason.

And in the case with both Taylor and Feeney, the Bolts were going to move on anyway. So that’s an added bonus.

The folks over at Over the Cap recently put together their list of predictions for 2022 compensatory picks, and Los Angeles should feel pretty happy knowing it’s projected to get a total of four comp selections for the 2022 NFL Draft.

OTC predicts LA Chargers receive 4 compensatory picks in 2022

The overwhelming majority of compensatory selections predicted to be awarded next offseason are in Rounds 5 through 7, and there are very few third- or even fourth-round comp picks projected.

As OTC explained, this is likely due to the diminished 2021 NFL salary cap, which hindered a lot of players from receiving big-time deals this offseason:

What stands out as of now is just how few 3rd round compensatory picks are on the board. This was an offseason, perhaps aggravated by the fall in the salary cap, that saw very few players leave for other teams on high valued contracts. As of now, only two 3rd rounders are projected to be awarded: to the Steelers for Bud Dupree going to the Titans, and to the Lions for Kenny Golladay going to the Giants.

Comp picks are awarded to teams with a net loss of free agents who sign qualifying contracts elsewhere. And while the formula the NFL uses to calculate the number and value of compensatory selections is both complex and private, OTC’s predictions have tended to be pretty accurate.

For now, the LA Chargers are predicted to receive comp selections for the following four players:

• QB Tyrod Taylor (Round 6)
• OL Dan Feeney (Round 6)
• OT Sam Tevi (Round 6)
• LB Denzel Perryman (Round 7)

This brings the total amount of projected LA picks in 2022 to 11 with the Bolts holding each of their own picks, currently, through all seven rounds.

Not bad for general manager Tom Telesco to start focusing on building the depth for a roster already on the rise following his efforts in the 2021 NFL Draft.

We won’t officially know the comp picks until spring of 2022 before next year’s draft when the NFL announces them.

But for now, even though they’re all in the late rounds, the chances of finding a hidden gem on day three just got a bit better for the Bolts.