Edit: If my understanding is correct, Sowell won't cost Seattle a comp pick. As a then RFA, Sowell signed with AZ on a 1 year deal last February. Players who leave after signing a 1 year deal do not factor into the comp pick formula.
Willyeye":uqb27au5 said:
One bad part about this signing: any signing of a UFA prior to June 1 cancels out one of our comp picks for 2017...as it stands right now, this signing cancels out our comp pick for Mebane. However, as long as we lose another UFA for at least $1.5 million, we can still regain the comp pick for Mebane. Hopefully, it will end up being someone like maybe one of the Jackson's...Tarvaris or Fred
This is a fair point to bring up, but requires further clarification. Not every UFA counts for or against comp picks, they have to reach a certain threshold of relevancy within the formula, which is based on some combination of salary, playing time, and postseason honors.
I'm guessing that Seattle signed Sowell before June 1st because they felt decently confident he wouldn't qualify. His pay and playing time are both on the low end, and he's never received awards. I doubt they view Sowell as being worth a 6th round pick.