CBS Sports annually ranks the top 25 players under the age of 25. Two San Francisco 49ers defenders made this year's list. Not included on the list are rookies, as they are an unknown commodity for NFL teams.
"Both past performance and projection (go into the ranking), as well as, to a lesser degree, positional value," wrote Cody Benjamin. "So it helps if a player has already been really good for three years, but it also helps if his future outlook is really bright."
Starting at No. 25 and working our way up the list, the first 49ers player to make an appearance is All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner at No. 11.
"In a day and age where linebackers are increasingly shuffled to the sidelines in favor of cover men, Warner has consistently popped at the heart of San Francisco's defense," wrote Benjamin. "The guy's been both durable (zero missed games in three years) and attracted to the ball (367 career tackles), giving the 49ers a rangy and reliable centerpiece on his side of the ball."
San Francisco made Warner a third-round draft pick out of BYU in 2018, and the linebacker is due a big contract extension. Last season, he racked up a team-leading 125 tackles to go with his five tackles for a loss, seven quarterback hits, one sack, two interceptions, six passes defensed, and one forced fumble last season on his way to earning his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors.
"Fred's a guy that I plan on being here forever, and who has earned [a contract extension]," head coach Kyle Shanahan said this week. "And I'd be surprised if that doesn't start sooner than later."
Make your way further up the list to find pass rusher Nick Bosa, who missed most of last season after suffering a torn ACL in Week 2.
"Chase Young may be the talk of the young pass rushers, but Bosa was an absolute man during his own Defensive Rookie of the Year campaign," wrote Benjamin. "As a first-year starter, he had 9.0 sacks to Young's 7.5, 16 tackles for loss to Young's 10, and 25 QB hits to Young's 12. Both are elite, but Bosa, even coming off a lost year, will scare opponents. Look out for a T.J. Watt-esque ascension."
Bosa is not participating in organized team activities this week. He continues to rehab in Florida and will rejoin his teammates later in the offseason.
"I just didn't want to take him off his routine right now," Shanahan told reporters. "I totally agree with him (being) out there. He's going to show up at some time during this but he won't be going out there, doing anything coming off the ACL, but we fully expect him to be ready for training camp."
One player excited for Bosa's return to the football field is All-Pro tight end George Kittle.
"I think I've said this about 100 times; I still think Nick Bosa is like the second-best NFL player behind Aaron Donald, and I think he's going to come back with a vengeance," Kittle recently shared. "And I'm very excited about that because he's a very talented football player, and he definitely makes that defense gear up a whole extra notch."
Falling under the "Maybe next year" category on the top 25 list is 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who turned 23 years old in March.
