Pro Football Focus continues its offseason positional rankings and landed on the top 32 NFL linebackers today. Where did the San Francisco 49ers' young defensive stars, Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw, land?
Warner comes in high — at No. 2. Only Bobby Wagner of the Seattle Seahawks ranks higher. Warner is coming off an All-Pro and Pro Bowl season that saw the linebacker record a career-high 125 tackles with five tackles for a loss, seven quarterback hits, two interceptions, a sack, six passes defensed, and a forced fumble, per Pro Football Reference.
"Fred Warner is the latest contender for Wagner's crown as the best linebacker in the game, and he represents the new pathway for the position," wrote analyst Sam Monson. "At BYU, Warner played the overhang, slot/linebacker hybrid role that exists in several college systems because of the wide hash marks, but it doesn't really have an NFL equivalent. That has allowed him to post a 90.0-plus PFF coverage grade over the past two seasons."
Warner is entering the final year of his four-year rookie deal and is due a long-term extension. Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Tuesday that he expects a contract to get done "sooner than later." More importantly, the head coach said, "Fred's a guy that I plan on being here forever."
Warner has no desire to leave either.
"Obviously, I want to be a Niner for life, too, right?" Warner said on Tuesday. "I know all that stuff will work itself out in due time, and I'm just focused on being the best player I can for this team."
Greenlaw came in at No. 30 on the list. The 24-year-old linebacker has recorded 178 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, four quarterback hits, an interception, two sacks, and three passes defensed in his two NFL seasons since the 49ers made him a fifth-round selection in 2019.
"While Fred Warner is in contention to be the best linebacker in football right now, Dre Greenlaw is a solid foil within the same defense," wrote Monson. "Greenlaw missed just 4.7% of his tackle attempts over the past two seasons of play for the 49ers and allowed only 7.4 yards per reception in coverage."
