The Cleveland Browns were awarded four compensatory picks in the 2012 NFL Draft, the NFL announced today. Cleveland gained two sixth round selections (204th and 205th overall) and two seventh round picks (245th and 247th overall).

With the addition of the compensatory picks, the Browns currently have 13 selections in this year’s draft, including three of the top 37 overall. In addition to the compensatory choices, Cleveland has its own selection in rounds 1-5 and in round 7. The Browns also own Atlanta’s first and fourth round picks and Denver’s fifth round choice. Cleveland’s sixth round pick was traded to Minnesota during the 2010 season in exchange for Jayme Mitchell.

Previous to this year, the Browns had only received two compensatory picks since the league first started awarding choices in 1994. The Browns received a seventh round pick (245th overall) in 2001 and a seventh round pick (248th overall) last year. The first round of the 2012 draft will be held Thursday, April 26 at 8:00 p.m. The second and third rounds are set for Friday, April 27 at 7:00 p.m. Rounds four through seven will be held Saturday, April 28 at 12:00 noon.

Under the rules for compensatory draft selections, a team losing more or better compensatory free agents than it acquires in the previous year is eligible to receive compensatory draft picks. The number of picks a team receives equals the net loss of compensatory free agents up to a maximum of four.

 Compensatory free agents are determined by a formula based on salary, playing time and postseason honors. The formula was developed by the NFL Management Council. Not every free agent lost or signed by a club is covered by this formula.