[jwplayer boGiTYJc-ThvAeFxT]
The 49ers were headed the wrong direction going into their Bye week. They’d lost three in a row with none of three games looking particularly competitive. Another lost season was in the cards and the NFL draft was on its way to becoming the foremost concern when analyzing the effects of each 49ers win or loss. But then in Week 12 happened and suddenly the 2021 NFL draft got pushed to the back burner.
San Francisco knocked off the Rams 23-20 in Los Angeles. The Cardinals lost to the Patriots, the Bears fell to the Packers, and the Lions were blown out by the Texans, and suddenly the 49ers playoff hopes got a jolt.
In earning their fifth victory of the year, the 49ers slid all the way down to No. 16 in the 2021 draft order, ahead of only the Raiders and the Ravens.
Here’s the full order after Monday Night Football:
1. Jets, 0-11
2. Jaguars, 1-10
3. Bengals, 2-8-1
4. Cowboys, 3-8
5. Chargers, 3-8
6. Eagles, 3-7-1
7. Panthers, 4-8
8. Washington, 4-7
9. Lions, 4-7
10. Falcons, 4-7
11. Dolphins (via Houston), 4-7
12. Broncos, 4-7
13. Bears, 5-6
14. Vikings, 5-6
15. Patriots, 5-6
16. 49ers, 5-6
17. Raiders, 6-5
18. Ravens, 6-4
Unless San Francisco loses out and finishes 5-11 – which doesn’t seem like a particularly likely scenario with the scuffling Cowboys and Washington Football Team still on the schedule – the 49ers probably won’t find themselves picking near the top 10.
They got as high as 12 following their loss to the Saints, then dropped two spots over the Bye and another two spots with their win over the Rams. Going the wrong direction in the draft order means its time to focus on the playoff chase. Once they’re done chasing a postseason spot, the draft can become a higher priority.