[jwplayer qLoEf0nU-ThvAeFxT]
The San Francisco 49ers aren’t officially eliminated from the playoff race, but they’re far enough away that the postseason picture is nigh impossible to see among the bright light of the 2021 NFL draft.
San Francisco is in an unenviable spot going into their final three games. They players aren’t going to quit, but a win in any of the three contests would be disastrous for their place in the NFL draft order.
Exiting Sunday’s loss to Washington, the 49ers are just one game back of the Dallas Cowboys for a top-5 pick, making Week 15 a gargantuan game from an NFL draft order standpoint.
Here’s what the top 15 looks like after Week 14 concluded:
1. Jets (0-13)
2. Jaguars (1-12)
3. Bengals (2-10-1)
4. Cowboys (4-9)
5. Chargers (4-9)
6. Panthers (4-9)
7. Falcons (4-9)
8. Dolphins via Texans (4-9)
9. Eagles (4-8-1)
10. Giants (5-8)
11. Lions (5-8)
12. 49ers (5-8)
13. Broncos (5-8)
14. Minnesota (6-7)
15. Bears (6-7)
16. Patriots (6-7)
17. Raiders (7-6)
18. Ravens (8-5)
It’s hard to project exactly where the 49ers will finish in the draft order since there’s such a logjam of 4-9, 5-8 and 6-7 teams. San Francisco’s been scoreboard watching for their playoff hopes, but now the draft begins making its way to the fore, and the 49ers have an outside shot at a top-five pick.