NFL training camps are underway, and ESPN surveyed league executives, coaches, and scouts to rank the top ten players at eleven positions. It didn’t take long for a San Francisco 49ers player to grace the top of one of those rankings.
For the second straight year, 49ers linebacker Fred Warner has been ranked as the top linebacker in the NFL by a poll of executives, coaches, scouts, and others who are currently plugged into the game.
Warner, 28, is entering his eighth season with the San Francisco 49ers and has been named to four Pro Bowl teams (2020, 2022-2024), while also receiving four first-team All-Pro nods (2020, 2022-2024).
In 2024, Warner racked up 131 total tackles, including 76 solo tackles and one sack. The BYU product also returned one of his two interceptions for a touchdown.
FRED WARNER PICK-6. LEGEND.
📺: #NEvsSF on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/Mk2VkYc7Q9
— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2024
Warner — recipient of four All-Pro first teams in five years — dominated the voting with more than 80% of the first-place votes.
He’s durable, only sitting out one game in his seven-year career. He has three straight seasons with at least 130 tackles and seven pass deflections, highlighting his pass-game prowess. He also has back-to-back years of four forced fumbles.
He’s considered the best defensive game manager in the NFL but has improved his all-around game.
“I think Fred has gotten much more productive defeating core blocks and tackling with more physicality,” an NFL coordinator said. “He’s always been the best in the world in the passing game — range, instincts, ball production. But he was incredible last year, and then you factor that with the forced takeaways, durability, and all the other rare intangibles, he’s the best.”
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler – July 15, 2025
More San Francisco 49ers coverage from Sactown Sports
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings is seeking a new contract or a trade, ESPN reported Monday.
Jennings, 28, is due to earn $7.5 million in the final season of his contract in 2025, according to Spotrac.
Jauan Jennings set career highs across the board last season with 77 receptions for 975 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games.
There has been little progress with Jennings’ request but he is not expected to be a training camp holdout, per ESPN.
He has 155 catches for 1,938 yards and 13 TDs in 60 games since being drafted in the seventh round by the 49ers in 2020 out of Tennessee.
Report: 49ers WR Jauan Jennings seeks new deal or trade
Upcoming San Francisco 49ers Schedule
Preseason
Tuesday, July 15th – Start of training camp (Rookies)
Saturday, August 9th – vs. Denver Broncos – 5:30 PM PT
Saturday, August 16th – @ Las Vegas Raiders – 1:00 PM PT
Saturday, August 23rd – vs. Los Angeles Chargers – 5:30 PM PT
Regular Season
Sunday, September 7th – @ Seattle Seahawks – 1:05 PM PT *Season opener*
Sunday, September 14th – @ New Orleans Saints – 10:00 AM PT
Sunday, September 21st – vs. Arizona Cardinals – 1:25 PM PT
Sunday, September 28th – vs. Jacksonville Jaguars – 1:05 PM PT
Thursday, October 2nd – @ Los Angeles Rams – 5:15 PM PT
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