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The NFL announced comp picks on Monday for the 2014 NFL Draft, and the 49ers were able to score a third round pick for the departure of free safety Dashon Goldson. Projections previously had indicated the 49ers were looking at a fourth round pick, so getting the one-round boost was pretty sweet.
The 49ers compensatory pick is the last of the third round, and is pick No. 100 overall. That means the 49ers now have six picks in the first 100 of the 2014 NFL Draft. That leaves the 49ers with the following haul of picks:
1. First round: own - No. 30
2. Second round: Chiefs (Alex Smith trade) - No. 24 (No. 56 overall)
3. Second round: own - No. 29 (No. 61 overall)
4. Third round: Titans (2013 draft trade) - No. 13 (No. 77 overall)
5. Third round: own - No. 30 (No. 94 overall)
6. Third round: Comp for Dashon Goldson FA departure - No. 36 (No. 100 overall)
7. Fourth round: own - No. 29 (No. 129 overall)
8. Fifth round: own - No. 30 (No. 170 overall)
9. Seventh round: Saints (Parys Haralson trade) - No. 27 (No. 242 overall)
10. Seventh round: Panthers (Colin Jones trade) - No. 28 (No. 243 overall)
11. Seventh round: own - No. 30 - (No. 245 overall)
Of those 11 picks, only the comp pick is not allowed to be traded. Even though the 49ers cannot move the pick, it gives them that much more flexibility with the picks around it. The 49ers do have some holes to fill on their depth chart, but it is primarily for long-term development, and on the back end of the roster. They could very well pick six players with those six picks, but I have to think they're more likely to move at least one of them, and possibly two or three over the course of those first two days.
This is considered one of the deepest drafts in recent memory, with Mike Mayock suggesting it's the deepest in at least a decade. On the one hand, that means the 49ers could stack up on some talent early on. On the other hand, if teams are willing to sacrifice a higher 2015 pick to get into the second or third round of this year's draft, maybe it will be easier to swing a deal.
Last year, the 49ers packaged the Panthers third round pick, No. 12 of the round, No. 74 overall, along with their own No. 31 overall pick, to switch places with the Dallas Cowboys at No. 18. The 49ers are once again in position to move up, and realistically could elect to move pretty far up if they were so inclined. Maybe they pine after a particular wide receiver or cornerback that would take a little more than a single third round pick to acquire.
On the other hand, the 49ers could potentially elect to deal away a second for a 2015 first, or a third for a 2015 second. They actually need to find partners to make those deals, but they've done them before. It's a different environment with the cheaper rookie deals, but with a draft class this deep, maybe teams will sacrifice from the future. The 49ers "only" have eight picks in next year's draft, although they are likely to gain at least a couple comp picks before 2015. But if they can add some Day 1 and Day 2 picks, maybe it's not the worst idea in the world.
I get that there is a ton of talent in this draft. And the 49ers will add some of it. But when you've got six picks in the first three rounds, and you're in the position the 49ers are in at the moment, it seems to me like you grab two or three big talents, then maneuver so you have more high picks next year. Unfortunately, I do not have the 49ers draft board in front of me. Barring them trading out or releasing some of their current veterans, I just don't see them spending all 11 picks this year. I'm sure I could be proven wrong, but I remain convinced we see them add a couple 2015 picks out of all this.