Writer Eric Edholm continues his series identifying the top draft values of the millennium at each position group and just unveiled his list for linebackers in a feature for NFL.com. A third-round pick in 2018 who has developed into one of the game's elite defensive players, it was no surprise that San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner earned a spot.
Edholm ranked Warner No. 3 on his list, behind only Bobby Wagner and Lavonte David. Why did the 49ers' star come in behind those two players?
"Warner is still much earlier in his career than our first two entries, but he appears to be on the same Hall of Fame-caliber track as Wagner and David," Edholm explained. "Through seven seasons, Warner has established himself as one of the great three-down linebackers, rarely leaving the field and able to impact games in myriad ways.
"Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson are the two headliners from the 2018 draft class, and deservedly so, but Warner might be that crop's best defender, along with Roquan Smith, the No. 8 overall player drafted that year."
Warner, 28, has recorded at least 118 tackles in each of his seven NFL seasons, solidifying himself as the leader of the 49ers' defense. Over his illustrious career, he has totaled 897 tackles (36 for loss), 30 quarterback hits, 10 sacks, 10 interceptions, two touchdowns, 53 passes defensed, 15 forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries, per Pro Football Reference.
Edholm emphasized that Warner's versatility is what makes him exceptional, stating, "Warner's coverage ability might be his elite trait."
In fact, Warner's 88.4 coverage grade last season led the 49ers, and he delivered another standout campaign despite playing through an ankle fracture for most of the season.
"But his all-around game is also excellent (he rates as a strong run defender and blitzer), and he's missed only one career regular-season game," Edholm continued. "There's a reason he wears the green dot for the 49ers' defense: Warner is as dependable and impactful a player as you'll find at linebacker these days."