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2012 NFL Draft: 49ers Not Expected To Receive Any Compensatory Picks

It doesn't come as much surprise, but the San Francisco 49ers aren't likely to gain any compensatory draft picks this offseason. As Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area points out, the 49ers had an even number of gains and losses in free agency this past season. Teams are awarded compensatory draft picks when they have net losses in free agency, but it only applies to players who hit the scheduled free agency, and not when they are released.

This means that Nate Clements don't count as losses, and Madieu Williams, Larry Grant and Blake Costanzo don't count as gains. Last season, the 49ers saw some key contributors go, but seemed to get a much better return on their free agents, so there's really no argument for a loss, even if the numbers weren't even. Aubrayo Franklin was the best to go, but Isaac Sopoaga filled in for him well. Manny Lawson, David Baas, Takeo Spikes and Travis LaBoy all left.

As it happens, the 49ers only replaced Baas through free agency, getting Jonathan Goodwin, who was very solid for them this past season. Carlos Rogers, Donte Whitner, David Akers and Braylon Edwards were the other gains, and aside from Edwards, they all had something like career years for the 49ers.

Compensatory draft picks are just a bonus, really - something that teams just hope to hit on. San Francisco has had some luck in that regard, especially on the defensive line, where they got Ricky Jean Francois and Ray McDonald - a versatile backup and a starter at left defensive end, respectively.