Steelers Predicted To Not Receive Any Compensation Picks For 2025

The Pittsburgh Steelers were active in the 2024 free agency period and didn't have any major players sign deals elsewhere. This means that for the second offseason in a row, the team will likely not get any compensation picks. The league outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement in 2020 that teams lose more of what are defined as Compensatory Free Agents (CFA) than they sign during the period from when before free agency starts to the Monday after the NFL Draft. Teams may also receive picks for the loss of coaches or executives to another franchise. 

According to OverTheCap.com's 2025 compensatory pick cancellation chart, Pittsburgh only lost one CFA when defensive lineman Armon Watts signed with the New England Patriots. The team would have received a seventh-round draft pick in compensation, but the signing of former Houston Texans punter Cameron Johnston nullified that possibility.

Nick Corte is a contributor to the website and wrote in his breakdown that it's fine for teams to want to get players for their roster now instead of waiting for a compensation pick. It's part of the balance of free agency. The biggest thing to watch out for is signing a lower-value contract that could cancel a high-pick compensation. Some examples from the 2024 free agency period include the New York Jets signing pass-rusher Bryce Huff, who would've been worth a fourth-round pick in compensation, but that was wiped out by a group of sixth-round level contracts, and the Denver Broncos making moves that wiped out getting a potential fourth-round pick in compensation for losing center Lloyd Cushenberry. 

Pittsburgh didn't have any major CFAs leaving the team in 2024, which makes it tough to get any compensation picks -- and since Pittsburgh was active in free agency, they canceled out any possibility of getting compensation picks. It's a similar story to the 2023 offseason when Pittsburgh was aggressive in finding upgrades in free agency, thus knocking out any compensation they could've received. The Steelers lost Cameron Sutton, Robert Spillane, and Devin Bush Jr. to other teams and would've been entitled to compensation had they not been active themselves. By bringing in Isaac Seumalo, Cole Holcomb, and Elandon Roberts the team canceled out any compensation picks the team would've received for 2024. 

Steelers Big Losers In AFC North For Compensation Picks

The Baltimore Ravens were the big winners of compensatory picks in the AFC North. The Steelers' bitter rival brought in only Derrick Henry as a CFA while losing eight. The team is scheduled to receive seven picks with the highest of them being a fourth-round pick for linebacker Patrick Queen signing with the Steelers. The Ravens are in line to get a fifth-round pick for the loss of Jadeveon Clowney, sixth-round picks for Geno Stone, John Simpson, Ronald Darby, and Devin Duvernay, and a seventh-round pick for Gus Edwards. 

The Cleveland Browns lost four CFA-designated free agents: Joe Flacco, Jordan Elliott, Sione Takitaki, and Harrison Bryant. The team brought in Jordan Hicks and Quinton Jefferson as CFAs and so are likely entitled to a pair of seventh-round picks as compensation. 

Like the Steelers, the Cincinnati Bengals brought in more than they lost, meaning that they likely won't be entitled to any compensation. While the team lost DJ Reader, Chidobe Awuzie, and Jonah Williams, they added Stone from the Ravens, Trent Brown, and Sheldon Rankins to cancel any chance at compensation picks. The team also added tight end Mike Gesicki and running back Zack Moss. 

How much of an effect is not getting extra draft picks two offseasons in a row going to make? Would you rather have the players Pittsburgh signed or the draft capital?