ESPN poll has 49ers' Fred Warner on top of the NFL world
If you haven't heard of San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner by now, well, it's safe to say that's on you. Warner has easily developed into one of the NFL's top off-ball linebackers and he's not just a tackling machine. He's also a playmaker that can do it all – he can defend the run […]
If you haven't heard of San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner by now, well, it's safe to say that's on you.
Warner has easily developed into one of the NFL's top off-ball linebackers and he's not just a tackling machine. He's also a playmaker that can do it all – he can defend the run and the pass, as well as blitz when needed.
He's ascended each year in the league and the NFL has noticed. So much so that a collection of anonymous NFL executives, coaches, players, and scouts voted him as the No. 1 off-ball linebacker in Jeremy Fowler's latest top-10 list.
Fowler released his yearly column on Saturday, which polled more than 80 NFL employees of the above criteria. He then tallies all the votes and assembles the list in whatever order the votes demand. This year, over 60% of voters gave Warner the No. 1 spot, which was considered by Fowler to be a "dominant" percentage.
"He's the perfect new-age linebacker, great against the pass but can handle himself against the run, a big athlete with plus leadership and communication," an AFC scout said.
Warner has recorded 118+ tackles in each of his first four years in the NFL. Per Pro Football Reference's Stathead, only four other off-ball linebackers have accomplished that feat:
- Zach Thomas: Hall of Famer
- Luke Kuechley: Eventual Hall of Famer
- Patrick Willis: Eventual Hall of Famer
- Jon Beason: Two-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler
Yea, that's some pretty impressive company.
The scary part is Warner is just 26-years-old. He is entering his prime and his best days are easily in front of him. And, the addition of Javon Hargrave is only going to free up more room for Warner to work with, so, the NFL will immediately feel the sting in 2023.
You can check out Fowler's full column, here.
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Featured image via Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
