Niner Noise
FanSided

49ers’ 5 most important defensive players entering 2019

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 16: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a sack of Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 16: DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after a sack of Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 28: Linebacker Fred Warner #48 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after an intentional grounding penalty resulted in a safety during the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 28: Linebacker Fred Warner #48 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after an intentional grounding penalty resulted in a safety during the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Linebacker Fred Warner

Linebacker Fred Warner solidified himself as a great find by the 49ers in 2018, eventually leading the team with 124 tackles his rookie season.

Warner did have some issues tackling early on, but those were largely rectified during the second half.

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He’ll be under more pressure to retain that prowess in 2019.

San Francisco’s switch to a wide-9 front has some trickle-down impact. It does take the strong-side (SAM) linebacker off the line of scrimmage, which should help alleviate some pressure off Warner a bit. But one of the drawbacks is it opens up the possibility for more interior runs, instead of those bumping to the outside.

Warner’s role as a MIKE linebacker means he’ll be responsible for handling a lot of the second-level run-stopping duties this season and likely beyond. A slightly more-open defensive front means opposing offenses are going to attempt these interior rushes against the 49ers on a more frequent basis.

If Warner gets into some trouble with tackling again, this switch could create something of a liability.

If his run-stopping abilities stay strong, however, the Niners may not see a massive increase in their rush-yards-against-average from last year (4.1), while using the new defensive formation to create better pass-rushing opportunities, too.