San Francisco 49ers

Season Remainder Outlook and NFL Draft Implications for 49ers

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The San Francisco 49ers took one step closer to a top-two pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, following the team’s 31-24 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 12. How does this, and the rest of the league’s remaining calendar, affect San Francisco’s draft position?

No other team in San Francisco 49ers history has lost 10 games in a row, but that’s what we’ve seen out of this year’s bunch.

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The 10-game losing streak has plummeted the Niners to a 1-10 record and the second overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, if the season were to end today.

Right now, the winless Cleveland Browns own the No. 1 pick in the draft. While anything is possible, it’s hard to see the Browns pulling off a single victory over their remaining schedule. Even if they did, the Browns could still lock up the top pick based on strength of schedule.

For a refresher, teams finishing with the same record are subject to the following tiebreaker rules in this order:

Let’s assume, for a moment, the 49ers and Browns finish with a 1-15 record. Cleveland has a lesser strength of schedule, according to Pro Football Reference, so the Browns would still get the top pick (if the season ended today).

What about the remaining teams in the hunt for a top pick?

49ers Matchups with the Bears and Jets

Two other games have important implications for the Niners draft status — Week 13 at the Chicago Bears and Week 14 versus the New York Jets. And keep in mind the Jacksonville Jaguars have just two wins on the season as well.

Dec 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Marc Mariani (80) reacts after losing his helmet while being tackled by San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) during the second half at Soldier Field. San Francisco won 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

The Bears are 2-9, but another 49ers win would give each team the same record. Depending on how the remaining schedule plays out, Chicago would end up with the No. 2 overall pick — assuming the current order stays the same — due to strength of schedule.

So it might be in San Francisco’s best interests to lose this seemingly winnable contest, if draft order is important to you.

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The Jets, meanwhile, are 3-8 after falling to the New England Patriots in Week 12. It’s feasible San Francisco wins back-to-back games against the Bears and Jets, respectively. And New York has some fairly stiff competition down the stretch.

San Francisco might present the easiest challenge for the Jets, but they still have an easier strength of schedule through 12 weeks.

At best, record-wise, the Niners pull off realistic victories over these next two weeks. That would give head coach Chip Kelly’s squad a 3-13 record and easily a top-five pick in the draft.

But that number could fall anywhere between pick Nos. 1 through 5.

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