Packers receive four compensatory draft picks

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- For a general manager like Ted Thompson, these are the types of days to look forward to. On Monday, the NFL awarded the Green Bay Packers four compensatory draft choices. For Thompson, who has built the current Packers' roster almost entirely through the draft, this means four more opportunities to build upon a 15-1 team last season that is also just one year removed from winning the Super Bowl.Green Bay will have back-to-back picks at the end of the fourth round, Nos. 132 and 133 overall. Also, the Packers will add two seventh round picks, Nos. 241 and 243.According to the NFL's policy for compensatory draft choices, "a team losing more or better compensatory free agents than it acquires in the previous year is eligible to receive compensatory draft picks. The number of picks a team receives equals the net loss of compensatory free agents up to a maximum of four."The formula for determining these picks is based on salary, playing time and postseason honors of the players that a team lost and signed in free agency. However, not every free agent is covered by this rule.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. For the Packers, they did not sign any free agents that qualified. However, Green Bay lost offensive lineman Daryn Colledge, fullback Korey Hall, running back Brandon Jackson, defensive end Cullen Jenkins and offensive lineman Jason Spitz.Since the compensatory draft picks policy began in 1994, the Packers have been awarded the second-most with a total of 30. That is tied with Dallas and second only to Baltimore.Follow Paul Imig on Twitter.