The 49ers weren’t awarded any compensatory picks Tuesday when the additional NFL draft selections were announced.
Comp picks are awarded to teams that incur a net loss in the previous year’s free agency. Since San Francisco didn’t lose any key free agents last offseason, while making moves like signing linebacker Kwon Alexander and re-signing free safety Jimmie Ward, they didn’t have what the comp pick formula considered to be a ‘net loss.’
The formula is a secret that takes salary, playing time and postseason awards into account, although it doesn’t apply to every free agent that hits the market.
The Patriots were given four comp picks – the maximum amount allowed. Seattle received three comp picks. The Rams picked up one additional selection. Arizona, like the 49ers, was shut out.
There’s a good chance the 49ers are a factor in the comp pick formula next season, especially if they lose any free agents like Arik Armstead, Emmanuel Sanders or Jimmie Ward. Losing all three of them, while unlikely, would surely mean San Francisco would acquire a heavy load of comp picks in the 2021 draft.
