How Darnold could impact the 49ers' 2025 NFL Draft draft originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The 49ers are projected to have 10 picks in this year's NFL Draft, with the 11th overall pick standing out.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold's stellar performance appears to mean the 49ers will receive another compensatory pick at the end of the fourth round.
This should give the 49ers enough opportunity to add another strong draft class after the 2024 rookie class makes significant contributions.
"We're very excited about this rookie class and a movement like this," 49ers general manager John Lynch said after the regular season. "We have to keep adding to it. We think we're going to have 10 players off the bench. We need to keep adding to it."
The 49ers' 10 projected draft picks should include three compensatory selections based on last year's net loss in free agency.
The 49ers lost Darnold and defensive end Chase Young to free agency last year and are expected to receive fourth-round compensatory picks No. 137 and No. 138, according to OverTheCap.com.
The 49ers are also set to receive another seventh-round pick (No. 254) as compensation for the loss of receiver Ray-Ray McCloud.
Darnold signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Vikings this offseason. He started all 17 games and led the Vikings to a 14-3 record while passing for a career-high 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He was selected to the NFC Pro Bowl team.
Young signed a one-year, $13 million contract with the New Orleans Saints. He totaled 5.5 sacks in all 17 games.
McLeod signed with the Atlanta Falcons and caught 62 passes for 686 yards and one touchdown, setting a career high.
The 49ers will also receive a special compensatory pick at the end of the third round, as they lost former defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans to the Houston Texans two years ago.
Of the 49ers' 10 projected picks, five are expected to be among the first 111 picks in the draft.
The 49ers lost this year's fifth-round pick when the NFL ruled they violated the league's salary cap rules due to an accounting error at the end of the 2022 season.
First round, 11th place
Second round, No. 43
Third round, No. 75
Round 3, No. 99
Round 4, No. 111
Round 4, No. 137
Round 4, No. 138
Round 6, No. 188
Round 7, No. 228
Round 7, No. 254
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