placeholder image

Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports


49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh says linebacker Fred Warner is NFL’s best ‘by far’

Dec 17, 2020 at 3:58 PM--


Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
Fred Warner has been on a steady rise towards being one of the elite middle linebackers in the NFL since the San Francisco 49ers selected him in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, and now his defensive coordinator thinks he has proven to be safely ahead of any other players in the league at his position.

49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said as much during a media session on Thursday, declaring Warner the best middle linebacker in the league by a significant margin. There's some bias in Saleh's statement, given the relationship he has with Warner as his coach, but it still comes as heavy praise, considering the quality of other players at the position such as possible future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner of the Seahawks and 2019 first-team All-Pro Eric Kendricks of the Vikings.

"I will be biased and say that he is by far -- by far -- the best middle linebacker in football," Saleh said. "It's not even close, in my opinion."

Few would have expected Warner to get to that point after the 49ers drafted him in 2018, partly due to the fact he was more of a hybrid safety/linebacker in college at BYU. But Warner stepped in as a starter immediately for the 49ers and caught on quickly, despite the level of adjustment the team expected him to make in his rookie season.

"What he's transformed into over the last three years is remarkable," Saleh said. "In college, he basically played nickel. He comes here as a rookie and we put him behind the ball at Mike linebacker to make all the checks. So he's seeing things for the first time in a long time with regards to the football. Behind the ball, all the reads are different, the feel is different. Then on top of that, we're asking him to make all the checks."

Warner wound up starting every game as a rookie and finished with 109 tackles and six passes defensed before carrying the same workload in 2019. He made noticeable strides in 2019 (107 tackles, nine passes defended, three sacks, one interception) but may not have gotten the recognition he deserved due to the fact he was playing behind one of the best defensive lines in the NFL.

"I don't think he got enough credit a year ago because of the fact our front four just stole the show every single game," Saleh said. "But the things that he did and the way he gets us lined up, it's Peyton Manning-like in what they did from an offensive perspective as a comparative measure."

This year, Warner has once again been an impact player on defense for the 49ers (91 tackles, three interceptions) and is also getting more recognition across the league. Chances are he'll see that impact turn into the type of postseason honors he's yet to receive during his career in the NFL.

"Now that he's got a third year behind the ball, he's only getting more and more comfortable behind the ball," Saleh said. "He's seeing more and more concepts, formations, being put in different situations."

49ers cornerback Richard Sherman thinks Warner gained a level of confidence in 2019 that has carried over into this year -- one that could wind up getting him the accolades his coaches and teammates think he deserves.

"He played really outstanding last year, especially down the stretch," Sherman said of Warner Thursday. "Probably from Week 5 (until the end) he was probably one of the best linebackers in football. Then he played all the way through the Super Bowl and played a freaking fantastic game in the Super Bowl, and I think it gave him the confidence coming into this year that he could be the best linebacker in football.

"He's played with confidence. He's played with detail and tenacity each week. He knows exactly where plays are going. He has great command of his defense, great command of his men. So he deserves everything he has coming his way. Hopefully the voters recognize him for the Pro Bowl and the AP writers recognize him for All-Pro because he deserves it."

Warner's play has caught the attention of Wagner as well as 49ers great Patrick Willis, who according to ESPN called Warner a "badass" on and off the field. Warner hasn't quite reached the level of Willis, who was a first-team All-Pro in five of his eight NFL seasons, but he's still well on his way to becoming the type of middle linebacker who is talked about among 49ers fans for years to come.

"Again, he's only going to get better," Saleh said. "With what he does and what we ask him to do, his positive energy, his leadership, his off-the-field stuff, you can't make them like that very often anymore."

Related News





Facebook Comments



More San Francisco 49ers News


placeholder image

Kyle Shanahan explains why 49ers promoted Nick Sorensen to defensive coordinator

By David Bonilla
Mar 26

After Steve Wilks's dismissal, the San Francisco 49ers had several options for their vacant defensive coordinator position. Although former Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley was considered for the role, he ultimately joined the coaching staff as the assistant head coach under head coach Kyle Shanahan. He will focus on game plan preparations while offering his experience to the team. Nick Sorensen, the team's defensive pass game specialist, was awarded the defensive coordinator position. Shanahan opted for an internal candidate, valuing Sorensen's familiarity with the staff and the defensive system. When asked what qualities Sorensen demonstrated to prove he's ready to call plays for the defense, Shanahan explained, "He's worked with a lot of people


placeholder image

ESPN names 49ers as best fit for Tre'Davious White

By David Bonilla
Mar 20

Following the initial flurry of free agency activity, ESPN's Bill Barnwell took a closer look at the remaining unsigned players, identifying ideal landing spots for each. Among the prospects, cornerback Tre'Davious White found himself connected with the San Francisco 49ers as a prime fit. The Buffalo Bills, who selected White with the No. 27 overall pick in 2017, released the cornerback on March 13. The 49ers would love to bolster the defensive backfield, finding a better option to pair on the outside with Charvarius Ward and allowing Deommodore Lenoir to find a permanent home in the


placeholder image

49ers view Isaac Yiadom as leading candidate to start at CB, says insider

By David Bonilla
Mar 21

The San Francisco 49ers' signing of cornerback Isaac Yiadom to a one-year deal wasn't a headline-grabbing move. It wasn't even the Bay Area team's most significant free-agency move thus far. That would be defensive end Leonard Floyd signing a two-year deal with the 49ers. However, San Francisco hopes Yiadom proves to be one of its more underrated signings. The 28-year-old defensive back is coming off his best NFL season. Yiadom's 81.1 overall grade and 80.4 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus were career highs. Opposing quarterbacks completed 50 percent of their passes (22 of 44) and owned an 84.4 passer rating when targeting the former New Orleans Saints defender in 2023. RELATED:


placeholder image

49ers actively negotiating with Brandon Aiyuk, not discussing trades, says John Lynch

By David Bonilla
Mar 25

General manager John Lynch addressed reporters at the NFL owners meetings on Monday, emphasizing the San Francisco 49ers' active pursuit of a contract extension for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. There has been significant speculation surrounding Aiyuk's status this offseason. The receiver is slated to play on his fifth-year option, which guarantees him $14.124 million in 2024. While the team would be content with Aiyuk playing on that fifth-year option, it would prefer to secure the star receiver to a long-term deal before he returns to the field. RELATED: Brandon Aiyuk reacts to John Lynch's latest contract negotiation


Latest

Trending News

Share 49ersWebzone