Compensatory picks: 49ers, Rams tops at 5 each

Last updated: 2024/03/09 at 12:24 AM

BigP Published March 9, 2024

Michael DiRocco, ESPN Staff WriterMar 8, 2024, 04:41 PM ET
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams each received five additional selections Friday as the NFL announced there would be 34 compensatory picks in next month’s draft.

The 49ers and Rams received the most picks — with each team getting a special compensatory selection because of the NFL’s minority hiring initiative — while the Philadelphia Eagles were given four. The New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers and New York Jets each received three.

.@NFL Announces 34 Compensatory Draft Choices to 14 Clubs: https://t.co/ISEfUzofID pic.twitter.com/PJ9CWCK57n

— NFL345 (@NFL345) March 8, 2024

San Francisco’s picks are in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth (2) rounds. The Rams’ picks are in the third, sixth (3) and seventh rounds. The Jacksonville Jaguars received the highest compensatory pick (No. 96 overall).

Overall, 14 teams received compensatory picks in the April 25-27 draft. Picks are awarded in Rounds 3 through 7.

Compensatory picks are awarded to teams if they lose more or better compensatory free agents than they acquire the previous season. The NFL determines compensatory free agents based on a formula that includes salary, playing time and postseason honors.

In addition, an amendment added to the collective bargaining agreement in 2020 allows teams to gain a special compensatory pick in the third round if a minority employee is hired by another team as a head coach or primary football executive.

The Atlanta Falcons hired then-Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris as their new head coach in January. The 49ers received their second of three special compensatory picks from the hires of DeMeco Ryans (Texans coach) and Ran Carthon (Titans GM) after the 2022 season.