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49ers news: Team receives 2 comp picks in 2021 draft, has 10 picks total

By Peter Panacy

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 25: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stands at the podium during a moment of silence for the victims and those others affected by the Bombing at the Boston Marathon in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 25, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 25: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stands at the podium during a moment of silence for the victims and those others affected by the Bombing at the Boston Marathon in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 25, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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The 49ers were awarded two compensatory picks in the 2021 NFL Draft, which brings their total number of selections to 10.

Two things happened for the San Francisco 49ers and the rest of the league on March 10.

First, the 2021 salary cap was set at a hard $182.5 million, which is down from the near-$200 million from last year. But at least general managers like the Niners’ own, John Lynch, have a concise knowledge of what the number this year will be and can plan accordingly.

In addition to the cap being set, the league announced which teams would receive compensatory NFL Draft selections for the year.

As NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero pointed out, San Francisco initially seemed to receive three total comp picks, two in Round 3 and another in Round 5:

The 49ers were already anticipating a fifth-round selection for last season’s free-agent departure of wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. But with the New York Jets hiring former Niners defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as head coach, as well as the Washington Football Team hiring away Martin Mayhew for its own vacant general manager role, the Niners would cash in on two additional third-round compensatory picks for the hiring of minority assistants by other squads.

But as NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco pointed out, after some speculation, the 49ers would only get two picks, not three, rather one third-round selection over the next three drafts:

San Francisco now has 10 total selections heading towards April’s draft.

49ers need the stockpile of NFL Draft picks for 2021 and beyond

With the three added comp picks now known, the 10 total selections at Lynch’s disposal are as follows:

  • Round 1, No. 12 Overall
  • Round 2, No. 43 Overall
  • Round 3, No. 102 Overall (comp)
  • Round 4, No. 119 Overall
  • Round 5, No. 157 Overall
  • Round 5, No. 174 Overall (from Saints)
  • Round 5, No. 182 Overall (comp)
  • Round 6, No. 195 Overall
  • Round 7, No. 231 Overall (from Jets)
  • Round 7, No. 241 Overall

What’s arguably more important than landing top-tier players with as many picks as possible is at least getting some quality roster additions who’ll be playing on cheaper rookie contracts for at least the next four seasons, potentially five including Round 1 fifth-year options for that round.

With just over $23 million in available cap space, Lynch and Co. will have to be careful what the 49ers do with their contractual obligations and free-agent targets this offseason. It’s expected many would-be deals end up being backloaded to account for this. But with high-profile players like linebacker Fred Warner and EDGE Nick Bosa due lucrative contract extensions in the not-so-distant future, the Niners will have to make sure they can get some contributions from younger, cheaper players.

Hitting on those draft picks instead of relying on older, more-expensive veterans might be the only option Lynch and Co. have to ensure both Warner and Bosa can be retained for the long run.

The 2021 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday, April 29.

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