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5 Teams in Worse Situations than the San Francisco 49ers in 2017

By Peter Panacy

December 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) is brought down by San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite (57) and defensive end Chris Jones (93) during the first half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
December 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) is brought down by San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite (57) and defensive end Chris Jones (93) during the first half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The San Francisco 49ers are a bad team, and they are one with seemingly no direction in sight. Yet there are other NFL franchises in worse situations than the Niners heading into 2017. Let’s look at five of them.

Dec 11, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Jimmie Ward (25) pushes New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) out of bounds during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. The New York Jets defeated the San Francisco 49ers 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Jimmie Ward (25) pushes New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) out of bounds during the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The New York Jets defeated the San Francisco 49ers 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

A “dumpster fire” might be the most accurate moniker to assign to the San Francisco 49ers in 2017.

The team is going to be on its fourth head coach in as many seasons. San Francisco’s fan base is alienated and has disappeared from Levi’s Stadium. The roster lacks talent across the board. And, worst of all, the Niners haven’t had any semblance of success in recent years outside the four-year stretch of former head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Yeah, it’s bad.

But it could be worse. In fact there are a number of other teams who are just as bad as, or worse than, the 49ers heading into this new season.

Seriously.

If we take a step back and look at the bigger picture, it’s not far fetched to realize San Francisco’s “clean slate” is actually a decent scenario. The Niners own the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft and may have as many as 11 selections overall (including compensatory picks).

Tack on nearly $80 million in cap space for 2017 — which could be make some easy-to-do roster cuts — and this situation isn’t all that horrendous.

As long as CEO Jed York and Co. don’t muddy the waters too much, of course.

Let’s look at five other teams who are actually in a worse situation than the 49ers heading into this season.