ORLANDO – Bucs general manager Mark Dominik informed PewterReport.com and members of the Tampa Bay media at the 2010 NFL Owners meeting in Orlando, Fla. that the Bucs received a seventh-round compensatory pick (pick No. 253 overall) in this year's draft. The Bucs got the extra draft choice from the league as a net loss in free agency from a year ago as a result of losing defensive tackle Jovan Haye and cornerback Phillip Buchanon and signing running back Derrick Ward, quarterback Byron Leftwich and kicker Mike Nugent.

The NFL uses a complex, subjective formula to determine which teams get compensatory picks based upon last year's free agent activity or inactivity. Compensatory picks take place at the end of the round, and no teams are awarded any selections that are higher than the third round.

Tampa Bay is building its roster through the draft and the Bucs now have 11 draft picks, including four seventh-round selections, in the 2010 NFL Draft. The two other seventh-round selections - aside from Tampa Bay's own pick - come from trades with Baltimore (for defensive end Marques Douglas) and Jacksonville (quarterback Luke McCown).

Dominik was pleased to get an extra selection and wasn't necessarily expecting it from the league.

"When you are setting your board up at the end, it's really nice to have one more guy to take," Dominik said. "It's a nice pick to have when you are looking at [undrafted free agents] to sign after the draft and maybe that guy might be hard to sign [otherwise]."

Compensatory picks cannot be traded per league rules.