The compensation involved in the trade that sent linebacker Kwon Alexander from the San Francisco 49ers to the New Orleans Saints was going to either be a 2021 fifth-round pick or a 2022 fifth-round pick. Which one depended on the linebacker's playing time.
Alexander reportedly sustained a torn Achilles in the Saints' Christmas Day victory over the Minnesota Vikings. The linebacker was a favorite among his former 49ers teammates, and we all wish him a speedy recovery.
Saints' LB Kwon Alexander tore his Achilles tonight and will miss the rest of the season, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 26, 2020
According to NBC Sports Bay Area, the 49ers are likely to receive a 2021 fifth-round pick after Alexander reportedly met the playing-time benchmark required.
Update: I'm hearing it's a virtual certainty the pick the #49ers will receive from the #Saints from the Kwon Alexander trade will be a fifth-round selection in 2021. https://t.co/0fxWeSP8fZ
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) December 26, 2020
Entering Week 16, San Francisco owns the following eight draft picks before compensatory picks are factored in. The team traded away its third-rounder as part of the deal for tackle Trent Williams, and the additional seventh-rounder was part of the trade for defensive end Jordan Willis.
- 1st round, No. 12 overall
- 2nd round, No. 43 overall
- 4th round, No. 105 overall
- 5th round, No. 136 overall
- 5th round, No. 157 overall (from NO)
- 6th round, No. 173 overall
- 7th round, No. 194 overall (from NYJ)
- 7th round, No. 204 overall
The 49ers could also land a third-round pick should defensive coordinator Robert Saleh be hired as a head coach.