4 bold predictions for the 49ers for upcoming 2024 NFL season

Bold Prediction No. 2: Fred Warner will finally get into the Defensive Player of the Year discussion

It's no secret the 49ers linebacker Fred Warner is the premiere player at his position and has been for much of his NFL career.

And while he has been recognized as an All-Pro performer three times (2020, 2022, and 2023) and a Pro Bowler in those same seasons, he's never racked up the counting stats that are often required of guys who are in the discussion for Defensive Player of the Year.

For one, it's hard to do so as a middle linebacker, a position that often tallies up a ton of tackles but doesn't often see numbers like interceptions, sacks, or fumble recoveries add up throughout a normal season.

All that said, it's high time that Warner gets into that discussion, and I'll say that 2024 will be the season where he stands out and gets into that conversation throughout the campaign.

Part of that comes from uncertainty about who will be Warner's running mate at linebacker, with Dre Greenlaw set to miss a good chunk of the season after the Achilles tear he suffered in the Super Bowl. The mix could end up being a hot-hand situation, with De'Vondre Campbell, Dee Winters, and Curtis Robinson getting into the fray next to Warner throughout the season.

And then the bold part just comes from Warner needing to get his hands on the ball more often, something he'll do to get himself into the DPoY talk throughout 2024.