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49ers-Saints: Sean Payton says Fred Warner is ‘playing at an elite level’
Nov 11, 2020 at 2:53 PM
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is one of the best young defenders in the NFL. Green Bay Packers quarterback praised the San Francisco 49ers linebacker last week after facing him at Levi's Stadium.
"Ain't nobody better,"
Aaron Rodgers told Warner. "There really isn't. You're the best, and everybody knows it. The film don't lie. You should be All-Pro."
Warner recorded a season-high 13 tackles against the Packers, his highest total since his rookie season. The linebacker has racked up 74 tackles, four tackles for a loss, three quarterback hits, two interceptions, and three passes defensed through nine games this season.
Next up for Warner and the 49ers defense are the New Orleans Saints. Head coach Sean Payton took some time on Wednesday to praise San Francisco's third-year linebacker.
"I can't say enough good things about him," Payton told 49ers reporters via a conference call. "He's one of those players that's playing at an elite level."
According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Warner is the third-highest graded linebacker. He is the highest-graded in coverage. Opposing quarterbacks own a passer rating of 60.5 when throwing the defender's way.
Warner was one of three 49ers players who
earned a spot on PFF's 2020 Midseason All-Pro Team and one of two who were named to the honorary first-team roster.
"I think he's an extremely good tackler," Payton continued. "Defensively, in general, I think it's a really good tackling defense. He can play in coverage. He's got real good football instincts. I feel like we've kind of seen his growth right in front of our eyes."
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