San Francisco 49ers forfeit, move draft picks due to payroll accounting errors

The San Francisco 49ers have been stripped of a 2025 NFL Draft pick after a league review found administrative payroll accounting errors at the close of the 2022 league year that resulted in a misreporting of the franchise’s cumulative player compensation, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported Monday.

San Francisco will forfeit its original fifth-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft and have their 2024 fourth-round selection (No.131) move to the end of the fourth-round, behind the compensatory picks (No. 135).

Pelissero noted that the NFL determined that the 49ers would have remained under the salary cap at all times regardless of the error. There was no intent for the team to circumvent the salary cap.

“We take responsibility and accept the imposed discipline from the NFL due to a clerical payroll error,” the 49ers said in a statement. “At no time did we mislead or otherwise deceive the League or gain a competitive advantage in connection with the payroll mistake.”

49ers announce several free agency signings

While the reigning NFC champions will soon turn their attention to the NFL Draft, they have been active in free agency. The 49ers have notably signed outside linebacker Leonard Floyd to a two-year deal, linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, cornerback Chase Lucas, offensive lineman Brandon Parker and cornerback Isaac Yiadom to one-year deals and re-signed offensive lineman Jon Feliciano to a one-year deal.

Floyd, 31, is the headliner, coming over after one season with the Buffalo Bills. He tied his career-high with 10.5 sacks and tallied his fourth consecutive season of 9.0 sacks or more. Floyd, who spent three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, is very familiar with San Francisco, which he said Monday played a big role in him signing with the team.

“It led a lot, because going against cats like George Kittle, that offense is a physical bunch,” Floyd said. “I feel like if I come and get that in practice every day, I get to go against Kittle every day, it will mold for a great season this year.”