49ers to pick 9th, Raiders to go 10th

INDIANAPOLIS — The 49ers will pick ninth and the Raiders 10th in the upcoming NFL Draft following Friday’s coin flip at the scouting combine.

Both teams finished last season 6-10 and with identical strengths of schedule. That necessitated the coin flip to decide who would have the higher first-round draft selection. The two teams will rotate in the later rounds along with the Dolphins, who also finished 6-10.

The NFL made a show of the flip, holding it near the bench press area at the Indiana Convention Center. Former cornerback Rod Woodson, who played for both teams, flipped a specially made coin that had the Raiders’ logo on one side and 49ers’ insignia on the other. NFL Network cut in to its coverage of player drills to show the flip live.

Head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Reggie McKenzie represented the Raiders, while general manager John Lynch attended for the 49ers. Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan had said earlier this week that Lynch was chosen to attend because: “He’s more athletic than me.”

Nobody seemed to take the flip, or its outcome,

too seriously. Gruden appeared mostly to want the process over, saying at one point: “Let’s get on with this.”

After the coin landed in the 49ers’ favor, Gruden pretended to punch Woodson. McKenzie wore a smile as he left the area.

“Where’s Woodson?” McKenzie said in mock anger. “He’s got to figure out how to make sure it lands on the right side. That was bad by him.”

“Hey, it is what it is,” McKenzie added. “We’re picking 10.”

As Friday’s winner, the 49ers got to keep the commemorative coin. A team spokesman tweeted it was headed for the 49ers’ museum.

McKenzie had downplayed the importance of the flip this week.

“I don’t think it matters much as far as the player,” McKenzie said Wednesday. “Now, maybe in trade value it matters a little bit more, if somebody wants to get the ninth pick instead of the 10th. But as far as the pick in itself, I don’t think it’s going to be a huge factor.”

Still, it’s possible the Raiders and 49ers could eye some of the same players going into the April draft.

Both have potential needs at linebacker — the 49ers are waiting for clarity on 2017 draft pick Reuben Foster’s legal issues — and could have interest in Tremaine Edmunds (Virginia Tech) or Roquan Smith (Georgia). Both teams also are thin at cornerback, where Denzel Ward (Ohio State) and Josh Jackson (Iowa) are projected as first-round picks.