Ranking 49ers 5 best NFL Draft picks by John Lynch, Kyle Shanahan

No. 4: LB Fred Warner

Speaking of linebackers who have been even better than expected as NFL players, former BYU linebacker Fred Warner comes in at the fourth slot on the list.

Warner was selected in the third round (70th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft and immediately earned not only the starting middle linebacker position for his rookie season, but was also granted the green dot on his helmet, essentially making him the quarterback of the defense.

After a solid rookie year which saw him amass 124 tackles, six passes defended, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery, the second-year player stepped up his game to new heights in 2019.

While his tackles went down to 118 total, he saw an increase in tackles for loss (up to seven from three), sacks (three after none as a rookie), passes defended (up to nine) and snatched his first career interception, a pick-six in the 49ers’ Week 15 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.

Warner’s Pro Football Focus coverage grade also improved, up to a 74.5 grade in that area of the defense after earning just a 67.7 grade as a rookie.

In a league that is moving away from the old-school linebackers whose primary responsibility was to stop the run, Warner is in many ways the prototype for the new age of players at his position.

That the 49ers found someone who will hopefully be a long-term starter for their defense in the third round speaks volumes about not only the work that Lynch and his staff did to scout him but also the quality of the player Warner is.