49ers roster: Power ranking 5 most important players entering 2021

49ers Player No. 5: Fred Warner

When you have a defense that has Nick Bosa on it, it says a lot about how good linebacker Fred Warner is that you would consider him the best defender on the roster.

Not just a Pro Bowler but a first-team All-Pro in 2020, Warner is the glue that holds the 49ers together with his ability to hold the middle of the field together.

With Warner anchoring the team and with the defensive line back to full strength in 2021, he could find himself playing to even greater heights this year.

At only 24 years of age, Warner has the ability to grow even more as a football player as he hits his peak. If he could get to the quarterback more in 2021 (he had only one sack last season and three sacks the season prior), he would become the complete linebacker that a team covets.

Despite being 24, Warner is wise beyond his years. He’s the unquestioned leader of the defense now cornerback Richard Sherman has departed the squad, and it’s a role Warner should have for a long time.

It’ll be fun to see how he performs off the back of a career best season.