The San Francisco 49ers' 2024 season came to an end in a fashion in keeping with a miserable campaign as they suffered defeat to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 18.

San Francisco went down in a contest that saw the 49ers give away three turnovers, commit costly penalties and undermine their efforts on both sides of the ball with special teams gaffes. 

It was a performance that encapsulated the frustrating year that was for last season's NFC champions.

But the silver lining is that it netted them a top-12 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. 

Had San Francisco avoided a season sweep by Arizona, they would have picked 13th in the first round.

Instead, after finishing the season with a dreadful 6-11, the 49ers will pick 11th in the first round.

That will be their highest pick since the 2021 draft, when the Niners traded up from the 12th overall selection to the third overall pick, with which they took Trey Lance.

The move for Lance proved to be a substantial error by the 49ers and, with a star-studded but undoubtedly top-heavy roster in need of another strong draft after impressive returns from the 2024 class, San Francisco cannot afford to waste such a valuable asset.

Kyle Shanahan explains one reason why he is excited the 49ers’ season is ending much earlier than expected

They have no excuse not to deliver in 2025.