The salary cap hit the Baltimore Ravens hard last year.
After winning the Super Bowl, the Ravens were forced to trade wide receiver Anquan Boldin to the team they defeated in the Super Bowl, the San Francisco 49ers, to clear cap space, mostly to sign quarterback Joe Flacco to a contract extension.
They then lost linebacker Dannell Ellerbe to the Miami Dolphins, cornerback Cary Williams to the Philadelphia Eagles, linebacker Paul Kruger to the Cleveland Browns and safety Ed Reed to the Houston Texans, in free agency.
On Monday, the NFL awarded the Ravens with four picks as compensation for those four losses.
Ravens end up with a 3rd round comp pick as well as two 4th round picks and a 5th round pick
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 24, 2014
Ravens retain all-time lead in compensatory picks. Got 4 this year, now at 41. #ozzie
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) March 24, 2014
The Ravens now have eight draft picks — one in the 1st, one in the 2nd, two in the 3rd, two in the 4th, one in the 5th and one in the 6th
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) March 24, 2014
#Ravens get a 3rd, 2 4ths, and a 5th in exchange for not overpaying Dannell Ellerbe, Cary Williams, Paul Kruger & Ed Reed last year
— Sigmund Bloom (@SigmundBloom) March 24, 2014
Quite the haul for the Ravens.