In June, Fred Warner praised one young San Francisco 49ers linebacker, highlighting the second-year player's standout performance during the offseason program. The team selected Dee Winters in the sixth round of the 2023 draft. With Dre Greenlaw still recovering from a torn Achilles, the young linebacker has received more opportunities to shine this offseason.
"I think Dee's probably had the best OTAs out of anybody on the team," Warner shared in June. "I feel like he's come along since last year. I remember he came in as a rookie, was struggling to learn the plays, and trying to get in shape, and all those little things that you got to learn as a professional."
Winters appeared in 15 games last season but only played 60 defensive snaps, primarily contributing on special teams.
Warner continued, "And [he] has come in this year and has just been on it, making plays left and right. He came in great shape this OTAs, and so he's set himself up to have a great training camp."
Winters wasn't the only linebacker the 49ers drafted last year. The team also selected Jalen Graham with a seventh-round draft pick. He appeared in four games last season and played 58 snaps on special teams.
With their rookie seasons behind them, 49ers defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen believes both players are primed for second-year leaps.
"Dee Winters plays fast. So does Jalen," Sorensen said this week. "The way to play fast is to know what you're doing and to feel comfortable in that. And then you're anticipating it. You have to learn a whole new system. It's totally different in college. There's a lot of differences. And then the details of what we do. So, it's understanding the differences in the offenses and then understanding the details of the defense.
"And once you start to grasp that, it starts to become second nature. Your brain is not slowing you down. Then you can see that speed, and you can fully cut it loose, and that's where they're at. They're taking that jump, both of them. It's cool."
While San Francisco brought in De'Vondre Campbell as insurance, Winters' and Graham's development could provide the defense with the added support needed if Greenlaw misses extended time.