Backup Linebacker
This may not seem like an important position, but trust me, this might be one of the most important positions available. This is the gateway to starting the entire season alongside Reuben Foster.
Ironically, this position is to replace Foster during his two-game suspension. That’s why I say backup linebacker because Foster’s spot is secured. There are three potential options to replace Foster and eventually Malcolm Smith in the future.
The first option is the returning linebacker from last year, Brock Coyle. Coyle was the primary replacement for NaVorro Bowman after Bowman was unceremoniously dumped. Pro Football Focus did not think highly of his work, giving him a 41.3 grade. He had 36 solo tackles last year. Coyle was resigned to a multi-year deal and according to Rob Lowder (h/t David Fuchillo of NinerNoise), Coyle was the starting middle linebacker in camp:
The #49ers’ starting defense on Day 1 of #49ersCamp:
— Rob Lowder (@Rob_Lowder) July 26, 2018
RDE: Solomon Thomas
RDT: DeForest Buckner
LDT: Earl Mitchell
LDE: Arik Armstead
SLB: Eli Harold
MLB: Brock Coyle
WLB: Reuben Foster
RCB: Ahkello Witherspoon
LCB: Richard Sherman
SS: Jaquiski Tartt
FS: Adrian Colbert
The next option is Korey Toomer. Toomer has bounced around in his career, but he is only 29 years old. He’s never been exceptional for his career but had a bit of a breakthrough year last year. According to PFF (h/t Peter Panacy of NinerNoise), Toomer had “an 80.3 overall grade, with 79.5 and 75.3 marks against the run and in pass coverage, respectively.” He doesn’t present much for upside and probably won’t be much of a factor.
The real upside of this group comes from third-round draft pick Fred Warner. Just look at this college stats to see the production:
| Tack | Tack | Tack | Tack | Tack | Def | Def | Def | Def | Def | Fumb | Fumb | Fumb | Fumb | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | G | Solo | Ast | Tot | Loss | Sk | Int | Yds | Avg | TD | PD | FR | Yds | TD | FF |
| *2014 | Brigham Young | Ind | FR | 9 | 17 | 6 | 23 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1 | 20 | 20.0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| *2015 | Brigham Young | Ind | SO | 13 | 46 | 20 | 66 | 12.0 | 4.0 | 2 | 27 | 13.5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | ||
| *2016 | Brigham Young | Ind | JR | 13 | 47 | 39 | 86 | 10.5 | 1.5 | 3 | 61 | 20.3 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2017 | Brigham Young | Ind | SR | 13 | 48 | 39 | 87 | 9.0 | 1.0 | 1 | 26 | 26.0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Career | Brigham Young | 158 | 104 | 262 | 32.5 | 6.5 | 7 | 134 | 19.1 | 2 | 13 | 5 | 3 |
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 7/26/2018.
After his first season, Warner jumped up significantly in tackles, and during his junior and senior season, he was incredible. He did it all, from tackles to pass defense, and did it well. The biggest concern of Warner’s was that he was never really a linebacker. He played a hybrid position at BYU which was more of a nickel linebacker.
NFL.com‘s scouting report of Warner includes that “While most will view him as an outside linebacker, Warner moves around like a big safety. With his instincts and cover skills in space, finding a hybrid role in sub-packages might be where he is best utilized.” This may seem like a bad thing, but take into account that Warner has already impressed calling plays as a linebacker.
Per nbcsports.com:
"[Warner]’s very smart and he plays like it on the field,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said during the first week of OTAs. “He doesn’t hesitate. He’s a rookie out there, but he’s calling the plays maybe even too loud because I can hear him from the offensive side. But, he doesn’t mind speaking up. He’s confident in what he’s doing."
Also important is the way the NFL is moving now. Linebackers who can lock down running backs or tight ends are vital to the NFL, and Warner might be the best coverage linebacker the 49ers have. He is invaluable to the NFL if he develops well, and I think he will.
Who I think will start Week 1: Fred Warner