Christian McCaffrey was recently named the NFL's best running back in ESPN's position-by-position rankings. Trent Williams was named the best offensive tackle. Now, another San Francisco 49ers player has earned the top spot at his position. Fred Warner has been named the NFL's best off-ball linebacker for the second consecutive year.

Jeremy Fowler surveyed nearly 80 league executives, coaches, and scouts to create the fifth edition of ESPN's position rankings.


"The red-and-gold standard of off-ball linebackers, Warner dominated the voting with more than 80% of the first-place votes," Fowler wrote. "Warner just earned his third All-Pro first-team nod in the past four years, setting career highs with four interceptions and four forced fumbles."

Warner also boasts three Pro Bowl selections on his impressive NFL resume. According to Pro Football Reference, he finished last season with 132 tackles, six for a loss, five quarterback hits, 2.5 sacks, and a career-high 11 passes defensed to go along with the stats highlighted by Fowler.

"He's like an elite quarterback in terms of managing the game," an NFL coordinator told Fowler. "Checks, adjustments, unbelievable awareness and instincts. He allows the other 10 people around him to function at a high level collectively because of what he's able to do mentally."

Warner earned career-high defensive (90.0), run-defense (90.3), and pass-rushing (80.6) grades from Pro Football Focus last season, including the playoffs. His 90.2 defensive grade during the regular season led all NFL linebackers.

Fowler noted: "Once known more for his work on passing downs, Warner ranked third among linebackers in run stop win rate at 43% last season."


Warner is signed through the 2026 season, securing his place as a cornerstone of the 49ers' defense for years to come.

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