Niner Noise
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49ers vs. Vikings: 5 players to watch for San Francisco in Week 1

By Akshaj Dwivedula

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 27: Pierre Garcon #15 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball against Trae Waynes #26 and Harrison Smith #22 the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter in the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 27: Pierre Garcon #15 of the San Francisco 49ers carries the ball against Trae Waynes #26 and Harrison Smith #22 the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter in the preseason game on August 27, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/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) /

Linebacker Fred Warner

I predicted that Fred Warner would be starting at linebacker around a month ago, so just want to let you all know that I knew this was coming.

My “Tony Romo talents” aside, Warner is a very intriguing player to watch in this game and beyond. He’s talented, smart and a capable leader. In short, he’s everything you want out of a middle linebacker.

Warner’s talents lie in pass coverage. Back in BYU, Warner played a hybrid safety-linebacker role that required more pass coverage than usual for linebackers. That skill set is crucial in the modern age NFL, where running backs are more valuable for their catching than running.

The bigger thing I want to see out of Warner is how he composes himself. Being a middle linebacker is a very hard thing to do. Apart from having your own defensive responsibilities, he has call the defensive play and make adjustments, if necessary, at the line of scrimmage. There’s a lot more added pressure to the position.

That’s why if Warner manages to compose himself and take control of the offense, it will be a great sign for 49ers fans. Kyle Shanahan said (h/t 49ers Webzone) that “Nothing is too big, nothing is too small, and [Warner]’s been very steady, and that’s what’s going to give him a chance to be successful.”

Being steady in this Minnesota environment against a team of their talent will be a obvious sign of how talented Warner can be. He’s already managed to grasp the starting MLB job with Reuben Foster (suspension) out.

If he plays well, he’ll be keeping that job when Foster rejoins the team.