Full list of NFL Draft compensatory picks as 49ers and Rams handed five each

10 March 2024 , 04:00

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The Rams and 49ers have been handed five extra NFL Draft picks (Image: Harry How/Getty Images)

The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams have been given a boost in this year's NFL Draft with five extra picks each in the compensatory rounds.

Both teams have received an additional day-two pick in the NFL Draft and four other picks, which will be a big help as they aim to compete for a Super Bowl once again. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles were given four extra picks while the New York Jets, Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints were awarded three compensatory picks.

The Mirror US has gathered all the details you need to know about compensatory draft picks, why they are given out and why some teams haven't been allocated any.

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What is a compensatory draft pick?

The NFL gives out draft placements picks from rounds three to seven if certain changes happen in a team's roster or staff. This can happen when a team loses one of its key players in free agency, or one of their coaches is hired by another team in a different role.

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These are known as compensatory draft picks and are regularly given out before every draft - with the number of picks given to teams changing each year.

Some teams, like the 49ers and Rams, put themselves in the best position to receive compensatory picks, often being given more than others by letting their free agents sign elsewhere while replacing them through the draft.

This process essentially nets them additional draft picks that they might not have after making trades throughout the season - such as sending a third-round pick to the Washington Commanders for pass-rusher Chase Young. In 2025, the 49ers are likely to recuperate that pick through the compensatory system. Most notably, Tom Brady was a compensatory draft pick by the New England Patriots in the 2000 NFL Draft.

Full list of NFL Draft compensatory picks as 49ers and Rams handed five each

Tom Brady was drafted with a compensatory picks, with teams now knowing whether or not they will receive one (Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

How does the NFL calculate compensatory draft picks?

To decide which round teams are given compensatory picks for players and staff lost from their roster, the NFL uses a formula that accounts for a player's average salary per year, as well as how many plays they figured in and whether or not they won any awards from the previous season.

Should a player have a prominent role in the team while having the statistics to make his profile stronger, the team who had lost the player could be given a third-round pick.

Why do some teams not get given compensatory draft picks?

Using the referenced formula above, the NFL will only allocate compensatory draft picks to teams that have suffered net losses in terms of who they had signed in the previous free agency period.

For example, if a team lost four players, but signed five in free agency - then they will not be allocated in compensatory picks - having not suffered any losses. However, if a team that lost three players in free agency but signed two, that team would be awarded one compensatory pick.