NFL rewards 49ers with FIVE compensatory draft picks for diversity hiring initiative

The San Francisco 49ers are reaping the rewards of the NFL's diverse rewards policy. The club received five third-round picks in exchange for developing minority candidates who went on to top-level coaching and executive positions around the league.

Five other teams have been awarded a total of 10 compensation picks, but none more than the 49ers, who helped launch Washington Commanders general manager Martin Mayhew, New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh and Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. They'll receive two more for Ran Carthon, recently named the Tennessee Titans GM, and another if defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans becomes a head coach this offseason.

The policy enacted in 2020 states: 'Clubs that develop a diverse employee who is hired in the position of Primary Football Executive or Head Coach at another club, will receive a draft choice compensation in the form of a compensatory draft pick in the third round in each of the next two drafts. If a club has two employees hired for either a head coach or GM position, then that club will receive third-round compensatory pick in the next three drafts.