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San Francisco 49ers: 5 positions up for grabs in 2018 training camp

By Akshaj Dwivedula

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 7: Jarryd Hayne #38 of the San Francisco 49ers stretches during a San Francisco 49ers practice session at Levi's Stadium on August 7, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. Hayne formerly played professional rugby league in Australia for the Parramatta Eels. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 7: Jarryd Hayne #38 of the San Francisco 49ers stretches during a San Francisco 49ers practice session at Levi's Stadium on August 7, 2015 in Santa Clara, California. Hayne formerly played professional rugby league in Australia for the Parramatta Eels. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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PROVO, UT – SEPTEMBER 12: Fred Warner #4 of the Brigham Young Cougars signals to the crowd as he and his team take the field before their game against the Boise State Broncos at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 12, 2015 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
PROVO, UT – SEPTEMBER 12: Fred Warner #4 of the Brigham Young Cougars signals to the crowd as he and his team take the field before their game against the Boise State Broncos at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 12, 2015 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images) /

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 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:

Fred Warner Career College Stats
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