In the end, the Jets let Robby Anderson walk for nothing.
That’s because even though the wide receiver signed with the Panthers, the Jets signed too many free agents to qualify for a compensatory pick in 2021, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini. Cimini cited OverTheCap, which is highly accurate in its 32-pick compensatory projections.
New York has only received one compensatory pick since 2015. The Jets received the 107th pick in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, awarded to them after the losses of unrestricted free agents, Chris Ivory, Damon Harrison and Demario Davis.
If a team loses more players that qualify as compensatory free agents than it signs during free agency, that team is eligible for compensatory picks in the following NFL draft.
By signing players such as George Fant, Connor McGovern, Greg Van Roten, Josh Andrews and Breshad Perriman, the Jets gained five compensatory free agents but only lost four in the process with the likes of Anderson, Brandon Shell, Brent Qvale and Tom Compton.
Prior to the 2019 NFL deadline, the Jets toyed with the idea of trading Anderson rather than lose him in free agency. When New York elected not to trade its top receiver, it seemed like a long-term extension was possible, but it never came to fruition.
Joe Douglas would not budge off of a $10 million-per-year offer, setting a firm price and allowing Anderson to reunite with his former college coach in free agency. Matt Rhule and the Panthers ended up giving Anderson a two-year deal worth $20 million with $12 million guaranteed in the first year.
