Fred Warner was recently named the NFL's top off-ball linebacker, according to an ESPN list resulting from a survey of nearly 80 league executives, coaches, and scouts. Warner's placement probably doesn't surprise most fans, as the star linebacker has now earned the distinction of topping ESPN's list for the second consecutive year.
Another 49ers linebacker made the top 10, garnering the respect he deserves from around the NFL. Dre Greenlaw came in at No. 9, which is impressive considering his 2024 campaign might be impacted by the torn Achilles he sustained in February during the 49ers' Super Bowl bout with the Kansas City Chiefs. Greenlaw is expected to miss the start of the regular season.
"Some voters kept Greenlaw off the list because of the Achilles tear he suffered in the Super Bowl that will jeopardize his early 2024 campaign," wrote Jeremy Fowler, who compiled the list for ESPN. "But many others believe he has earned top-five status with his play."
That's high praise for Greenlaw, whose impressive performance is often overshadowed by his All-Pro teammate. Greenlaw finished last season with 120 tackles, five for a loss, four quarterback hits, 1.5 sacks, and four passes defensed.
"He has instincts in the run game, slipping blocks, knowing when he has to get over the top or anticipate the cut," an NFL coordinator told Fowler. "Top 5-7 in the game in play-action pass recognition."
Greenlaw is entering the final year of his contract and hopes to impress the 49ers enough after he returns to the field to warrant another contract extension.
"Dre is always positive," 49ers linebackers coach Johnny Holland said in May. "Dre is always the cup is half full than empty, and I got a lot of confidence that he'll be back full-go. And I don't know the timeframe, but Dre is a player that stands for the Forty-Niner type of defensive player that we want. He's a violent, physical player, but on the other side, he's a great teammate, and we miss him being on the field. But [injuries are] part of the game, and he'll get through it."