Chargers get compensatory draft pick, release draft pick injured in crash last year

The Chargers were awarded a compensatory fifth-round draft selection (168 overall) in next month’s NFL Draft, the NFL announced Monday, as compensation for losing free agents last season.

Under terms of the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement, a team losing more or better compensatory free agents than it acquires in the previous year is eligible to receive compensatory draft picks. Last year the team lost defensive end Igor Olshansky and guard Mike Goff and signed linebacker Kevin Burnett in free agency.

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.

A total of 32 compensatory choices in the 2010 NFL Draft were awarded to 19 teams.

The Chargers also have released wide receiver Demetrius Byrd. Byrd was a seventh-round choice out of Louisiana State in the 2009 NFL Draft who suffered major injuries in a car accident just days prior to the draft. Despite the injuries, the Chargers selected him and generously extended him a contract for the season.

Source: San Diego Chargers