Tanking might benefit the 49ers in the 2025 NFL Draft, but losing to the Lions didn't end up giving the Niners a better spot.
Week 17's installment of Monday Night Football was nearly ideal for the San Francisco 49ers.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan's squad played an exciting and entertaining game against a top Super Bowl contender, the Detroit Lions, trading blows in a primetime bout where defense almost didn't matter. There were standout performances from several players, too, including rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall and his first-career 100-yard game.
But the Niners still lost 40-34 to fall to 6-10, which in the end, makes for better positioning in the 2024 NFL Draft, right?
Well, not exactly.
Sure, if San Francisco won, it would have jumped up from No. 11 overall to the 15th overall pick in this April's draft.
But, just because the 49ers lost yet again, it doesn't mean a better pick.
49ers still hold No. 11 overall pick in 2025 NFL Draft after Week 17
Here are the top 18 picks in order, currently, courtesy of Tankathon:
- New England Patriots (3-13)
- Tennessee Titans (3-13)
- Cleveland Browns (3-13)
- New York Giants (3-13)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12)
- Carolina Panthers (4-12)
- New York Jets (4-12)
- Las Vegas Raiders (4-12)
- Chicago Bears (4-12)
- New Orleans Saints (5-11)
- San Francisco 49ers (6-10)
- Indianapolis Colts (7-9)
- Dallas Cowboys (7-9)
- Arizona Cardinals (7-9)
- Miami Dolphins (8-8)
- Cincinnati Bengals (8-8)
- Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
- Seattle Seahawks (9-7)
Because of tiebreakers, had the Niners won on Monday Night Football, they would have jumped to the No. 15 overall pick.
However, thanks to the Raiders beating the Saints in Week 17, San Francisco didn't gain ground toward a top-10 selection and remains in place at No. 11 overall.
So, while winning over Detroit would have hurt the 49ers' draft position, losing didn't exactly help it improve.
At least there's one more game to play, Week 18 against the Cardinals.