We could find out as early today if indeed the Pittsburgh Steelers will receive the projected seventh-round compensatory draft pick in the upcoming 2013 draft, as they are normally announced on Monday at the annual NFL owners\’ meetings.
The Steelers only lost one unrestricted free agent last off-season in cornerback William Gay, who signed on with the Arizona Cardinals. While the Steelers did sign unrestricted tight end Leonard Pope away from the Kansas City Chiefs last off-season, he is not expected to factor into the formula because of the one-year qualifying contract that he signed. In addition to that, Pope played less than 100 snaps on offense.
Gay, on the other hand, signed a two-year, $3.2 million contract with the Cardinals and logged over 1,000 snaps on defense. The fact that he was released this off-season by the Cardinals and subsequently landed back with the Steelers doesn\’t factor into the compensatory draft pick formula one bit.
Last year at this time the Steelers were issued three compensatory draft picks for the 2012 draft as compensation for their 2011 losses during the free agency signing period. Those picks were used to select tight end David Paulson, cornerback Terrence Frederick and offensive lineman Kelvin Beachum. Both Paulson and Beachum made the Steelers 53 man roster as rookies and both saw extensive playing time in 2012 in addition.
