49ers 2018 offseason positional preview: Linebacker
By Peter Panacy
49ers Rookie Spotlight: Fred Warner
Fred Warner might have been the best player available when the Niners selected him No. 44 overall in the 2018 draft.
If anything, Warner is the definition of a modern hybrid-type linebacker in today’s NFL.
One of the major aspects making him such is his ability to cover well in space. NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein noted how Warner often plays like a safety and shows no weaknesses in handling opponents’ tight ends and running backs.
That’s vital, considering how pass-happy the league has become in recent years. In addition, linebackers Malcolm Smith and Eli Harold haven’t exactly been known for their coverage abilities in recent seasons.
Standing at an impressive 6-foot-3 and 226 pounds, the only question is what kind of role Warner will hold his rookie season. Some, like our friends over at 49ers Hub, think Warner is a plug-and-play starter at the weakside (WILL) spot:
Fred Warner was a very good pick up for the #49ers, dove into his tape this morning.
— 49ers HUB (@49ersHub) April 29, 2018
Warner immediately comes in to compete to start at WILL LB. He flies to the ball and always looks to force a turnover. He moves like a safety in space with good vision and good ball skills
During minicamp, the Niners were plugging Warner in with the second-team unit at MIKE, per NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco. These two positions are almost identical in Robert Saleh’s defense, the only difference being the MIKE calls out the plays.
Should Warner excel in training camp and the preseason, it might force the 49ers to shift a player like Malcolm Smith over to the strong-side (SAM) linebacker spot, currently held by Eli Harold.
For the first two games of 2018, however, expect both Warner and Smith to be on the field regularly during Reuben Foster’s absence.