49ers defensive grades from first half of 2022 NFL season

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Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, Kenneth Walker III, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (54) and linebacker Dre Greenlaw (57) tackle Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

49ers 1st-half defensive grades: Linebacker

A-. . Linebacker. San Francisco 49ers.

It’s much harder to grade the Niners’ linebacker corps in light of how fewer player spots there are and considering how many injuries San Francisco has already suffered here.

Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, who’d likely be a No. 1 backer on a lot of other teams, is probably among the best No. 3 options in the NFL right now, yet the 49ers have missed him because of an MCL injury suffered back in Week 3 against the Denver Broncos.

Likewise, fellow linebacker Dre Greenlaw has missed a game, too, because of an injury.

Regardless, the depth of both Greenlaw and Al-Shaair combined with All-Pro Fred Warner‘s presence combine to justify Pro Football Focus’ pre-2022 ranking of the Niners’ linebacker unit as the league’s best heading into the regular season.

San Francisco’s run defense in recent weeks reflects somewhat poorly on the linebacker group, but it’s important to consider names like Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles and Oren Burks weren’t expected to be defensive starters this season.

Fortunately, neither of those two fill-in players has been a complete liability either.

Considering the injuries, an A-minus grade is very solid for this group.