That draft pick the Steelers expected to get in the compensatory picks at the end of the third round? It's officially in jeopardy.
And it could put Donte Moncrief's spot on the roster in jeopardy, as well.
According to a league source, when the Eagles released linebacker L.J. Fort last week, it hurt the Steelers' compensatory numbers. And that could mean the Steelers could get a pick lower than the third-round selection they had hoped to get in return for the loss of Le'Veon Bell.
The Eagles signed Fort to a three-year, $5.5 million contract as an unrestricted free agent and he played a team-high 75 special teams snaps in the team's first three games.
But the Eagles surprisingly released him last week, helping their own compensatory formula while hurting that of the Steelers. According to Overthecap.com, the Eagles could gain a fourth-round comp pick just for the release of Fort, who was signed this week by the Ravens, while the Steelers' could see their compensation drop.
The Steelers have long expected to gain a third-round pick for the loss of Bell, despite the signings of Steven Nelson and Moncrief. Nelson was added for a three-year, $25.5-million deal, while Moncrief signed a two-year, $9-million contract.
Linebacker Mark Barron's two-year, $12-million deal doesn't count against that because Barron was released by the Rams.
Tight end Jesse James' four-year, $22.6-million deal helped offset the Nelson signing, while the Eagles' signing of Fort offset Moncrief's deal.
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