The San Francisco 49ers have been one of the busiest NFL teams this offseason. The franchise re-signed many of its own free agents and made eight picks in the 2021 NFL Draft.
General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan also decided to let a few players walk in free agency. Defensive lineman and 2017 No. 3 overall pick Solomon Thomas joined the Las Vegas Raiders on a one-year deal. Receiver Kendrick Bourne signed with the New England Patriots, while a pair of defensive players — lineman Kerry Hyder Jr. and corner Ahkello Witherspoon — inked deals with the Seattle Seahawks.
The Niners also went outside the building to add some veteran talent on the open market. Getting durable center Alex Mack provides a big boost to the interior of the offensive line, while pass-rusher Samsom Ebukam will bolster the front line of the defense.
The NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein projects all of the movement will result in two seventh-round compensatory picks for San Francisco in 2022.
Comp-pick analysis: The departures of VP of player personnel Martin Mayhew (now Washington GM) and defensive coordinator Robert Saleh (now Jets HC) net San Francisco three total third-round selections as part of the minority hiring initiative by the league. However, the 49ers shipped the 2022 special compensatory third-rounder to the Dolphins in the trade up to No. 3 overall in this year’s draft. The losses of Bourne and Witherspoon are offset by the additions of Ebukam and Mack. Thomas’ departure (along with Hyder’s) will be responsible for the seventh-round selections that should come San Francisco’s way.
As Zierlein points out, the 49ers shipped the 2022 third-round comp pick to the Miami Dolphins as part of the deal to land quarterback Trey Lance third overall.
If the Niners do get the two seventh-round picks, they will have a total of seven selections in the 2022 NFL Draft.
With the Dolphins owning the 49ers first-and-third round picks via the trade, and the New York Jets owning San Francisco’s sixth-round pick (Jordan Willis trade), the Niners will have a total of seven selections if they do get the sevenths as projected by Zierlien.
Round 2 — own pick
Round 3 — own pick
Round 4 — own pick
Round 5 — own pick
Round 7 — own pick
Round 7 — comp pick
Round 7 — comp pick.
San Francisco has a deep roster that should at the very least be in playoff contention, so the hope is that the first-round selection will be in the late 20s or 30s. (OK, the real hope is that it’s pick No. 32). Lynch has been active at each of the five drafts he has overseen as general manager, so it won’t be surprising if he is once again during middle rounds in 2022.
The 49ers used one of this year’s compensatory picks on Mighican corner Ambry Thomas in the third round.
