The 49ers lacked badly in draft capital this year. That should change dramatically in the 2024 draft where San Francisco holds all but one of its own picks, plus a projected five compensatory selections.
A prediction from NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has the 49ers on track to once again lead the league in comp picks. Their only free agency gains that will factor into the formula are quarterback Sam Darnold and defensive lineman Javon Hargrave. Meanwhile their key losses include defensive end Samson Ebukam, QB Jimmy Garoppolo, right tackle Mike McGlinchey, cornerback Emmanuel Moseley, DL Charles Omenihu and defensive back Jimmie Ward.
Via Zierlein:
The 49ers will receive the second of three third-rounders awarded for losing DeMeco Ryans (Texans head coach) and Ran Carthon (Titans GM) this offseason. The departure of Garoppolo was canceled out by the signing of Hargrave, but the loss of McGlinchey nets a third-rounder. If you are keeping track of the leaderboard for compensatory picks, the 49ers are the undisputed kings over the last two seasons with seven received in 2023 and five projected for 2024.
If Zierlein’s projection is accurate, here’s what the 49ers’ draft capital will look like in 2024:
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 3 (Compensatory)
Round 3 (Compensatory)
Round 4
Round 5 (Compensatory)
Round 5 (Compensatory)
Round 6
Round 6 (Compensatory)
Round 7
Barring another trade, the only pick of their own the 49ers won’t have is the fifth-round selection they dealt to the Panthers as part of the Christian McCaffrey trade last November.
The 2024 draft will be key for the 49ers since they’ll have premium capital for the first time since 2021 when they traded up to No. 3 overall for Trey Lance. With their top players getting more expensive or beginning to age past their prime, how the 49ers utilize their abundance of draft picks in 2024 could define the extension of their championship window.
