PALM BEACH, Fla. --The Cowboys have been awarded one compensatory 2012 draft pick in the fourth round (40/135 overall), giving them eight total draft picks, the NFL announced Monday.
A team losing more or better compensatory free agents than it acquires in the previous year is eligible to receive compensatory draft picks. The Cowboys signed defensive end Kenyon Coleman last summer but lost defensive end Stephen Bowen (Redskins) and wide receiver Sam Hurd (Bears).
Compensatory free agents are determined by a formula based on salary, playing time and postseason honors. The formula was developed by the NFL Management Council. Not every free agent lost or signed by a club is covered by this formula.
Thirty compensatory picks were awarded to clubs based upon the compensatory pick formula. By rule, two additional choices were awarded at the end of the seventh round (St. Louis, Indianapolis) to bring the total number of compensatory selections to 32, equaling the number of NFL clubs.
In addition to the extra fourth-rounder, the Cowboys have one pick in all seven rounds, starting with No. 14 overall.
