PHOENIX — Ted Thompson will have a couple of extra draft picks to work with after the NFL announced its compensatory picks at the annual league meetings Monday.

The Green Bay Packers general manager received two sixth-round picks to go along with the team's existing seven picks, meaning the Packers will have nine selections in the April 30-May 2 draft.

The Packers lost four unrestricted free agents last offseason and did not sign any. Ex-Chicago Bears defensive end-turned-outside linebacker Julius Peppers — the Packers' biggest offseason addition — was cut by the Bears, so he doesn't factor into the compensatory pick equation. Neither does defensive tackle Letroy Guion, who was released by the Minnesota Vikings.

The four unrestricted free agents the Packers lost last spring were wide receiver James Jones, who signed with the Oakland Raiders; center Evan Dietrich-Smith, who signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; offensive tackle Marshall Newhouse, who signed with the Cincinnati Bengals; and defensive end C.J. Wilson, who also signed with the Raiders.

The Packers' compensatory picks will be Nos. 210 and 212 overall.

"It's sort of an added bonus, something you didn't expect that you can get. That's how we look at it," Thompson said of compensatory picks. "We never even try to figure out how many we're going to get or where they're going to be or anything like that just because it's almost impossible to do."

Last year, the Packers received third-round and fifth-round compensatory picks after losing wide receiver Greg Jennings to the Minnesota Vikings and outside linebacker Erik Walden to the Indianapolis Colts in unrestricted free agency in March 2013 and not signing any unrestricted free agents themselves.

The Packers used those picks to select tight end Richard Rodgers and wide receiver Jared Abbrederis, respectively.

The Packers' best compensatory picks in the Thompson era have been used on Pro Bowl guard Josh Sitton (fourth round, 2008) and defensive tackle Mike Daniels (fourth round, 2012). Over the past three drafts, the Packers have used compensatory picks on Daniels, safety Jerron McMillian (fourth round, 2012), tackle Andrew Datko (seventh round, 2012), quarterback B.J. Coleman (seventh round, 2012), defensive end Josh Boyd (fifth round, 2013) and Rodgers and Abbrederis.

Jason Wilde  wrote:

“It’s sort of an added bonus, something you didn’t expect that you can get. That’s how we look at it,” Thompson said of compensatory picks. “We never even try to figure out how many we’re going to get or where they’re going to be or anything like that just because it’s almost impossible to do.”

TT from article wrote:

I've been thinking two 6th round picks for Dietrich-Smith and Jones... and didn't think Newhouse or Wilson signed for enough to get a pick.

Originally Posted by: beast 

The Packers’ best compensatory picks in the Thompson era have been used on Pro Bowl guard Josh Sitton (fourth round, 2008) and defensive tackle Mike Daniels (fourth round, 2012).

Article wrote:

I know it doesn't work this way... but if Thompson, if you get 4th round comp pick, check out the linemen first... linemen from 4th round comp picks have been very kind to the Packers.

Originally Posted by: beast