49ers will be given another draft choice by losing players vice president Martin Mayhew.
Mayhew, 55, was hired by Washington as its general manager on Thursday after several reports indicated that the team would make ex-GM Marty Hurney of Carolina their GM. On Wednesday, it was reported that Mayhew would join Washington as a “senior executive” with an indeterminate title.
Hurney will still be part of the Washington office.
With Mayhew becoming the third Black GM hired in the NFL this year, the 49ers will gain another future choice in the third round based on the new NFL program that rewards teams for the development of minority assistant coaches and executives who are hired as coaches or general managers. .
The 49ers were given a choice in the third round in the next two drafts last week, when defensive coordinator Robert Saleh was hired as the Jets coach. As the 49ers now have two minority employees on leave for senior positions, they will be given a choice in the third round in 2021, 2022 and 2023. The choices will come after the compensatory selections in the third round.
Mayhew was the 2008-15 Lions GM before joining the 49ers front office in 2017 to assist Lynch, his defense buddy with the 1993-1996 Buccaneers. Mayhew spent his first two seasons as a senior personnel executive before being promoted in January 2019. He worked closely with Adam Peters, who has the same title of vice president of player personnel.
Mayhew spent four seasons (1989-1992) with Washington. He was an early cornerback when they won the Bills at Super Bowl XXVI in January 1992, which was the last title in the franchise.
“Martin has played a key role in helping to establish a sustainable championship culture over the past four years,” said general manager John Lynch. “Your skills as a talent assessor and your advice as a trusted advisor positively impacted me and the 49ers organization.
“Personally, Martin has always been a loyal teammate and a great friend to me and my family. We are excited for him to take this new opportunity in an organization with which he has so much history. On behalf of our entire team, we wish Martin nothing but the best. “
The 49ers added three options to the 2021 draft since October through negotiations and the sale of Saleh. They were given a fifth-round pick from New Orleans by linebacker Kwon Alexander. They also got a choice in the seventh round of the Jets in a deal where they acquired the defensive edge Jordan Willis and gave New York a choice in 2022 in the sixth round. 49ers are expected to have 10 choices in the April draft.
Eric Branch covers the 49ers for The San Francisco Chronicle. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @Eric_Branch