Is Fred Warner the best linebacker in the game? Pro Football Focus believes so, recently ranking the San Francisco 49ers defender as the NFL's best at the position.
"The 2022 campaign marked the third season in which Warner recorded an 80.0-plus overall grade, solidifying his case as the top player at his position," wrote the analytics site.
You will get no argument from most NFL insiders. Warner deserves to be considered the best at the position. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler recently spoke to several league executives, coaches, scouts, and players to rank the top 10 players at 11 different positions, as he does annually. Warner took the top spot among linebackers, with one AFC scout showering the 49ers defender with high praise.
"He's the perfect new-age linebacker, great against the pass but can handle himself against the run, a big athlete with plus leadership and communication," the unnamed scout tool Fowler.
Warner was named the best linebacker in football in over 70 percent of the ballots that Fowler collected. He is tied for first among linebackers in passes defended (35), fourth in tackles (633), and fifth in pass breakups (37) through his five NFL seasons.
This is Warner's first year in the top spot. He came in third in 2022.
"His lack of splash in 2021 hurt his case in last year's ranking, finishing the season with 0.5 sacks, zero interceptions, and four pass deflections," Fowler explained. "In 2022, Warner upped those totals to two sacks, one interception, and a career-high 10 pass deflections."
The 49ers defense was the best in the NFL last season, and players hope to continue their dominance in 2023 with new defensive coordinator Steve Wilks at the helm. Warner remains the heart of the top-ranked unit.
"Warner anchored the middle of a defense that ranked first in scoring (16.3 points per game), second in rushing (77.7 yards per game), and first in total defense (300.6 yards per game)," wrote Fowler.
Warner isn't the only player representing the 49ers on the list. Dre Greenlaw made his top 10 debut (landing at No. 10) after a stellar 2022 campaign.
"[He] made a huge jump," one NFC executive told Fowler. "Relentless, extremely physical, and took a big jump in coverage. Obviously benefits from the guys around him, but he made so many big plays this year."
Greenlaw's performance last season wasn't enough to earn him Pro Bowl honors, but many in the league believe the linebacker's time for accolades is quickly approaching.
"I feel like people didn't know who he was for a while, but he's a major player," said one Pro Bowl defensive player.