NFL: Panthers get 3 compensatory draft picks

NEW YORK (AP) - The Carolina Panthers were awarded three compensatory picks Friday for April's draft after losing Julius Peppers to free agency before last season.

A total of 23 teams were allotted selections, beginning with a third-rounder (97th overall) to Carolina, which also has the top overall choice after going 2-14 in 2010. Peppers had an All-Pro season with Chicago, and Carolina also lost quarterback A.J Feeley to St. Louis.

Tennessee, Baltimore, the New York Giants, Minnesota, San Diego, Philadelphia, and San Francisco each got two additional picks.

Overall, 32 compensatory choices were given. Teams getting one apiece were Super Bowl champion Green Bay, Kansas City, Miami, Tampa Bay, Oakland, Seattle, New Orleans, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Denver, Cleveland, Arizona, Dallas, Washington and Houston.

The Titans lost defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch and tight end Alge Crumpler, but they added DE Jason Babin as a free agent and he went to the Pro Bowl. Tennessee was awarded a fourth-rounder (130th overall) and a seventh (250).

Green Bay's compensatory spot came because it lost DE Aaron Kampman to Jacksonville without adding any significant free agents last year. The Packers were given a fourth-round pick one spot behind Tennessee's.

Baltimore will pick at the 164th and 165th spots in the fifth round. The Ravens lost defensive linemen Justin Bannan and Dwan Edwards.

The Giants got two slots in the sixth round after losing quarterback David Carr and defensive tackle Fred Robbins. Running back Chester Taylor and guard Artis Hicks left Minnesota, bringing the Vikings a sixth-rounder (200) and a seventh (235).

San Diego's compensatory picks (201 and 233) came for the departures of tight end Brandon Manumaleuna and wide receiver Kaseem Osgood. Philadelphia will have two extra picks in the seventh round for losing Babin and safety Sean Jones. San Francisco's two compensatory seventh-round selections came for losing wide receiver Arnaz Battle and tackle Tony Pashos, but signing Carr.

Since 1994, the first year compensatory draft picks were awarded, 555 have been handed out. Baltimore has gotten the most, 31, and Cleveland the least, two.

Of teams in the league since '94, the Jets have received the fewest, five.