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The 49ers are in a rough spot for an NFL team with four games to play.
San Francisco hasn’t quite been good enough to entrench themselves among the top seven seeds in the NFC, but they haven’t been bad enough to be among the top picks in the NFL draft. After Week 13 action and a loss to the Bills, the 49ers find themselves sitting at No. 14 in the 2021 NFL draft order.
Here’s how the non-playoff teams would pick:
1. Jets
2. Jaguars
3. Bengals
4. Cowboys
5. Chargers
6. Eagles
7. Panthers
8. Falcons
9. Dolphins (via Texans)
10. Broncos
11. Football Team
12. Lions
13. Bears
14. 49ers
15. Cardinals
16. Patriots
17. Ravens
18. Raiders
The No. 14 slot wouldn’t be terrible for the 49ers, especially if they’re not looking to select a quarterback next year. If they do want to try and draft their franchise signal caller, it could get expensive to move up into the top five or eight.
San Francisco can’t just commit to their draft status though. They’re still in the playoff hunt despite long odds. They’re a game back of the Cardinals and Vikings, and tied with Chicago, Detroit and Washington. There’s a better chance they make the playoffs than they end with a pick inside the top seven.
The 49ers face Washington, Dallas, Arizona and Seattle to finish their season. Four wins could get them into the playoffs. Four losses would certainly help them climb way out of the No. 14 spot in the draft.