Detroit Lions release RB C.J. Anderson, likely cost Los Angeles Rams mid-round pick in 2020 NFL Draft

Back in May, we looked at some initial compensatory pick projections for the 2020 NFL Draft. The Los Angeles Rams lost three key veterans (OL Rodger Saffold III, S Lamarcus Joyner and RB C.J. Anderson) to free agency while signing LB Clay Matthews setting them up for two compensatory picks. The additions of QB Blake Bortles and S Eric Weddle didn’t count against the formula because they had been released by their former teams. And DL Ndamukong Suh signed after the deadline to affect the comp formula.

Today though, the Detroit Lions released Anderson which means they can’t cancel out the Matthews signing with Anderson’s; C.J. would have had to remain with the team until roughly Week 10 to count in the formula.

So now, the pick the Rams would have gotten for Joyner, likely a fourth-round pick, will be cancelled out by the Matthews signing leaving the Rams with the Saffold-activated pick, likely a third-round selection, as the Rams’ only comp pick.

Damn you, Detroit.