Why the 49ers won't receive a compensatory pick for Jauan Jennings

The San Francisco 49ers will not receive a compensatory pick for wide receiver Jauan Jennings after his reported one-year deal worth up to $13 million with the Minnesota Vikings. The reason is simple: Jennings signed after the 2026 NFL Draft, making him ineligible to factor into the NFL's compensatory pick formula.

NFL compensatory picks are extra draft selections awarded to teams that lose more—or more valuable—free agents than they sign during the offseason. The NFL's formula takes several factors into account, including a player's salary, playing time, and postseason accolades.

However, only unrestricted free agents who sign with new teams before the NFL Draft are included in the compensatory pick calculations. Because Jennings remained unsigned until after the draft concluded, his departure will not factor into the 49ers' future compensatory selections.

The 49ers originally selected Jennings in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Although he did not appear in a game during his rookie season, the receiver developed into a key contributor over the next five years, totaling 210 receptions for 2,581 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Jennings posted a career-high 975 receiving yards in 2024 and followed that with a career-best nine touchdown receptions in 2025.

San Francisco's wide receiver room has undergone a major overhaul this offseason. Along with Jennings' departure, Kendrick Bourne and Skyy Moore also signed elsewhere, while Brandon Aiyuk is still widely expected to leave.

To offset those losses, the 49ers added veteran receivers Mike Evans and Christian Kirk and selected De'Zhaun Stribling in the draft.