NFL Insider Predicts Patriots' Draft Pick Compensation for Tom Brady Signing With Buccaneers

The New England Patriots said goodbye to the only starting quarterback they've known over the last two decades (OK, fine, Matt Cassell) when Tom Brady left Massachusetts for sunny Florida and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in mid-March.

Brady leaving in free agency entitles Belichick and the Patriots to a compensatory pick, and the latest estimates show that the Patriots can expect to recoup a third-round pick in exchange for Brady.

Compensatory picks are awarded to a team after they lose a certain player in free agency, and the value of those picks are determined by salary, performance, and accolades in their first season away from the team.

Belichick has often made good use of these picks, as no team allows players to leave in free agency only to replace them in the draft better, or more frequently, than the Patriots. Expect the Patriots to either use that pick on some more weapons on the defensive side of the ball, or package it in a deal to move up and take Brady's successor.

Brady might be leaving the Patriots with an unproven, skittish fourth-rounder in Jarrett Stidham at quarterback, but he at least gave them a mid-round pick for their troubles.