San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner has admitted he wasn't sure if Dee Winters would pan out when he joined the team in 2023. Fast forward to 2025, and Winters has not only secured the starting Will linebacker role following Dre Greenlaw's departure to the Denver Broncos, but he's also thriving in it.
Winters has earned a 78.5 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF) in his first season as a full-time starter—the fifth-best mark on the 49ers defense. Greenlaw, meanwhile, has yet to make his debut with Denver as he continues to recover from an offseason quad injury.
While Warner misses lining up next to Greenlaw, he's energized by his new partnership with Winters in defensive coordinator Robert Saleh's revamped unit.
Warner praises Winters' growth
Speaking on Bay Area radio station 95.7 The Game, Warner praised his young teammate's development.
"It's amazing," Warner said when asked about playing alongside Winters.
He added, "I love Dee Winters. So happy for him and his progression with our team."
While Warner was unsure of Winters' potential impact at the start of his career, he now acknowledges that some players just need reps, and that was the case for his teammate.
"He's been able to stay healthy, be on the field to get those [reps]," Warner said. "And it's a complete credit to him, the way that he's worked, the time that he's put in, and committed himself, for wanting to be his best, and it's showing up now on Sundays in a big way.
"I know when that ball's thrown to the flat, I'm booking it over there just in case. I never want a guy to be alone on an island, but he's proven to me that he truly can be one-on-one with anybody out in space."
Winters is one of only three 49ers defenders with a PFF coverage grade of 91.5 or higher, joining Warner (91.9) and safety Ji'Ayir Brown (91.8).
"And so, it's really fun being out there, just playing with a lot of energy and having fun," Warner added.
Comparisons to Dre Greenlaw
While Warner is hesitant to compare Winters and Greenlaw directly, he acknowledged some similarities.
"They both have similar builds, but they both are extremely explosive and fast athletes on the field, and cerebral football players," Warner said. "They're both their own individuals. I would never want to compare Dee to anybody. I think Dee is his own unique person and player, but I think, when you look at just their builds, how explosive they are, their speed, I think that's what you see in both players."
With Winters stepping up and Warner leading the charge, the 49ers' defense appears poised to be significantly improved in 2025 compared to last season.