Niner Noise
FanSided

San Francisco 49ers: 5 biggest stars of 2018 OTAs so far

By Bobby Horne

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 29: A view of San Francisco 49ers helmets on the bench during their NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on November 29, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 29: A view of San Francisco 49ers helmets on the bench during their NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on November 29, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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PROVO, UT – SEPTEMBER 17: Fred Warner #4 of the Brigham Young Cougars deflects this third quarter pass, intended for Austin Roberts #88 of the UCLA Bruins at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Provo, Utah. The UCLA Bruins won 17-14. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
PROVO, UT – SEPTEMBER 17: Fred Warner #4 of the Brigham Young Cougars deflects this third quarter pass, intended for Austin Roberts #88 of the UCLA Bruins at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Provo, Utah. The UCLA Bruins won 17-14. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

Fred Warner

If there is one word to describe newly drafted rookie linebacker Fred Warner, it’s “smart”.

Just two days into OTAs, Warner was tasked with playing the MIKE linebacker position. You could call the MIKE position the quarterback of the defense, they are tasked with play calling, audibles at the line and making sure everyone is in the right spot.

A daunting task to put on a rookie taking his first snaps at the professional level.

Warner has not only been able to take on the load but excel at doing so. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has been very impressed with what he has seen so far from Warner.

"He’s been very impressive out there. He’s a very smart guy, which you don’t always know if that’s going to be the case until you get someone because that doesn’t always translate to the field. He’s very smart and he plays like it on the field. He doesn’t hesitate."

The key phrase to take out of this quote is “he doesn’t hesitate.” Warner has the ability and smarts to just read and react to the ball very quickly, a glowing trait for a linebacker.

The fact Warner can react without hesitation makes him faster to the ball and it’s already starting to show just a few days into OTAs.

San Francisco looks like it got a steal in the draft, one who will surely see playing time on game day.