And then there were 11; Bears awarded three compensatory picks

The Bears were awarded three compensatory draft picks Monday as the NFL Management Council announced the additional draft picks today at the owners meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Based on the losses of defensive tackles Alfonso Boone and Ian Scott, wide receiver Justin Gage and safety Todd Johnson, and balanced against only the addition of defensive tackle Anthony Adams, the Bears were awarded three additional choices in the seventh round. According to a release by the league, former safety Cameron Worrell was not considered in the equation.

They add the 36th, 40th and 41st picks of the round which are 243, 247 and 248 overall. Conditional draft picks cannot be traded.

That means general manager Jerry Angelo is now armed with 11 draft picks total. The Bears have an extra selection in the third round.

Baltimore and Cincinnati were each awarded the maximum of four compensatory picks. Indianapolis, Philadelphia and Washington got three apiece like the Bears. Washington, Cincinnati, Atlanta and Baltimore got coveted compensatory selections at the end of the third round. The Bears had been hopeful to get a selection in the sixth round, but that didnt happen.

A breakdown of how the picks were distributed:

Third round — four picks

Fourth round — five picks

Fifth round — one pick

Sixth round — nine picks

Seventh round — 13 picks

The equation for the distribution of picks is based on playing time and postseason honors. The Bears had not received a compensatory pick since getting two in 2003. They were used on running back Brock Forsey (sixth round) and guard Bryan Anderson (seventh round). Previously, Angelo drafted tight end Bryan Fletcher with a compensatory pick.