49ers win big with compensatory picks in 2026 NFL draft

USA Today

02-05-2025

49ers win big with compensatory picks in 2026 NFL draft
The San Francisco 49ers' slow 2025 free agency was done largely for financial reasons, but there was also an eye toward the 2026 NFL draft.
A projection from NFL Media's Lance Zierlein matches another projection from Over the Cap that says the 49ers will rack up three additional picks in next year's draft. San Francisco is projected to receive two comp picks in Round 4, and another in Round 5. They're out of additional third-round picks acquired through the JC-2A resolution that rewards teams for minority head coach and general managers being hired away from their staffs and front offices.
OTC has the 49ers getting fourth-round picks for left guard Aaron Banks and cornerback Charvarius Ward. They signed with the Green Bay Packers and Indianapolis Colts, respectively. The fifth-round selection comes from safety Talanoa Hufanga, who signed with the Denver Broncos.
The losses of offensive tackle Jaylon Moore, linebacker Dre Greenlaw and quarterback Joshua Dobbs are projected to be cancelled out by the additions of wide receiver Demarcus Robinson, tight end Luke Farrell and quarterback Mac Jones. None of the team's other free agent additions or losses qualified for the comp pick formula per Over the Cap.
Next year's draft will be another big one for the 49ers, and adding 3 relatively early Day 3 picks will be helpful in either adding talent or moving up the board earlier in the draft.
The NFL will officially announce compensatory picks sometime next March.