SF 49ers: 3 silver linings from otherwise ugly Week 9 loss to Packers

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Nick Mullens #4 of the San Francisco 49ers pressured by Za’Darius Smith #55 of the Green Bay Packers (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

SF 49ers Takeaway No. 1: Better positioning for the 2021 NFL Draft

You’ll never see words written from this writer about the SF 49ers needing to tank for better positioning in the NFL Draft. It’s better to see the Niners, both their players and coaching staff, striving for wins regardless of the context.

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It’s more important to learn how to win games, particularly when faced with adversity, than it is jockeying for better draft picks.

That said, those tank fans can always feel a little better if San Francisco winds up losing a game. It’s a silver lining in of itself.

Particularly when acknowledging the Niners aren’t going to make it back to the Super Bowl, aren’t going to win the NFC West and appear to be long shots to even get back into the playoffs this season.

So, while it’s great to win a game here and there, perhaps playing a spoiler role down the stretch, the long-term bonus for San Francisco losing a game like this could have better ramifications down the road.

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Just like how the SF 49ers’ 4-12 record in 2018 led to the grabbing of Pro Bowl EDGE Nick Bosa in the following year’s draft.