ESPN's Jeremy Fowler continues to look at position groups across the NFL and rank the best players within each. His latest task was to rank the league's top linebackers.
Fowler's list is based on input from around the NFL. He surveyed over 50 league executives, coaches, scouts, and players to compile it.
"The objective is to identify the best players right now for 2021," wrote Fowler. "This is not a five-year projection or an achievement award. Who's the best today? Pretty simple."
Where does San Francisco 49ers All-Pro Fred Warner sit on Fowler's list of the top linebackers? He is ranked at No. 2, with only Devin White of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers listed higher. Warner's ranking is a significant jump from last year's ranking of No. 10.
Warner has started every game and led the team in tackles every season since the 49ers made him a third-round draft pick in 2018. The linebacker earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors last season.
"He totally runs the show for that defense," one AFC executive told Fowler. "Everything they do goes through him."
Warner recorded 125 tackles, five tackles for a loss, seven quarterback hits, a sack, two interceptions, six passes defensed, and a forced fumble last season.
"Elite instincts and awareness against the pass," an AFC coach said. "Got a little bit of that Luke Kuechly in him. He knows exactly what's coming. Long, can feel his range."
"As a result, Warner doesn't have to stay inside like many linebackers," Fowler added. "San Francisco can put him in the slot with zero hesitation. The knock on Warner is he isn't a burner (4.64 40), but his length and angles make that a non-issue. Warner also posted a solid 38% run-stop win rate."
Warner, who has relayed the plays to the defense since he was a rookie, has become one of the 49ers' best players and one of the top young talents in the league. He is entering the final year of his rookie deal and will soon become one of the NFL's top-paid linebackers.