Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: 5 bold predictions for the 2018 season

By Jeremy Wohlfart

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 12: Brock Coyle #50 of the San Francisco 49ers salutes after a play against the New York Giants during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 12: Brock Coyle #50 of the San Francisco 49ers salutes after a play against the New York Giants during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/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) /

No. 3: Fred Warner will be starting this season after Reuben Foster returns

So in case you live under a rock, Reuben Foster has been suspended for the first two games of the season.

Frankly, it’s less than I thought it might be, and I will take the two games easily.

But someone has to step up, and it’s Fred Warner’s time to shine.

In this blog by Full Press Coverage, writer Hunter Neel spells it out:

"In San Francisco’s defense, the linebackers are asked to drop into coverage and cover hash to hash quite often. Warner has a ton of experience doing so. During his time at BYU, he played a hybrid outside linebacker/nickel role. He was asked to cover tight ends and slot receivers quite often when facing teams that liked to spread the ball out. Then with teams who used more two tight end sets, he played a more traditional linebacker role. These skills should help him translate well to San Francisco’s style of defense."

Obviously Warner won’t be beating out Foster when he returns, but I think he’s going to prove that he can be a legitimate force at linebacker for the 49ers and will, at some point, be a fully fledged starter before his rookie year is over.