Niner Noise
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49ers’ Week 10 win has limited ramifications in 2018 NFL Draft order

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 12: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with teammates after an 11-yard touchdownagainst the New York Giants during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 12: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with teammates after an 11-yard touchdownagainst the New York Giants during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The San Francisco 49ers pulled off their first victory of 2017, beating the New York Giants 31-21 in Week 10. But what does this victory mean for the 2018 NFL Draft? Not much.

The San Francisco 49ers no longer hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

This, after knocking off the also-struggling New York Giants at home in Week 10 by a score of 31-21.

A week ago, the Niners held the top pick in next year’s draft, as both they and the Cleveland Browns remained winless through Week 9. But San Francisco had one more loss, as the Browns were on the bye last week.

Had Cleveland won as well, and both the Browns and Niners had one win apiece, San Francisco would have retained that first pick because of the lower winning percentage.

But the Browns lost, 38-24 to the Detroit Lions, and the 49ers now sit second in the 2018 draft picture:

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OK, so all this prompts questions whether or not the Niners were better off losing in Week 10 and getting a better pick this April.

The Giants, after all, are right there with both the 49ers and Browns for a top pick. Losing to San Francisco actually hurts the Niners’ chances to get the No. 1 selection.

Perhaps, but we’ll have to wait until Week 11 to get a better idea how things shape up. The Niners go on their own bye, so winning percentage will be a much better tool to use.

A Top-Three Pick Still Likely for the 49ers

Looking at the Browns’ remaining schedule, it’s a real possibility head coach Hue Jackson’s squad goes winless this season. Maybe he’s able to pull off a win against the oh-so-weird Cincinnati Bengals in Week 12, but even that’s a stretch.

Or, more likely, the Browns beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17, as the Steelers roll out their second unit in preference of resting their starters for another postseason run.

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This similar scenario could affect the 49ers, who close out 2017 with a road contest against the 7-2 Los Angeles Rams. Either way, one shouldn’t assume the Niners suddenly figure out how to reach the same tier as those three-win teams listed above.

Regardless of what the Browns, Niners and Giants do, San Francisco is all but guaranteed a top-three pick in the 2018 draft.

And it’s valuable. Remember what general manager John Lynch did with the No. 2 overall selection last year? And consider this — in 2016, the Niners landed defensive tackle DeForest Buckner at No. 7 overall. That worked out pretty well too.

While it’s nice for any rebuilding team to have a top pick, it’s certainly not as huge a difference maker falling a spot or two in the order.

Next: Giants vs. 49ers: San Francisco grades, analysis from Week 10

Especially now San Francisco no longer has to worry about being associated with a zero-win team.