No. 5: 49ers LB Fred Warner

Lynch and Shanahan drafted BYU linebacker Fred Warner as an insurance policy for their top linebacker Reuben Foster, who was in the midst of legal troubles that put the second-year LB’s NFL future in question. Once Foster’s legal situation was resolved, the 49ers had a new problem, albeit a good one: a log-jam at inside linebacker.

Many analysts expected Warner — a third-round draft pick who played more of a hybrid position of linebacker, strong safety and slot corner in college — would be the odd man out, and would be slowly transitioned into a prominent defensive role. Instead, Warner quickly became the 49ers’ starting MIKE linebacker. Warner — a team captain at BYU who scored a 32 on the Wonderlic test — began the season calling plays from the 49ers’ defensive huddle, and continued in this role after Foster’s return from suspension.

Although he was known in college for his coverage skills, as he often lined up in the slot against wide receivers and tight ends on passing downs, Warner has proven to be a willing tackler at the professional level. The rookie not only leads the 49ers in tackles, but his 43 combined tackles rank third among all players in the league, per NFL.com.

While Warner has made a number of splash plays for San Francisco’s defense, he still has room to improve as he continues to become more attuned with the speed of NFL runners. But given the way the inside linebacker has manned the middle of the field over the beginning of his rookie season, the 49ers’ exciting tandem of Warner and Foster appear to be on their way to becoming one of the top inside-linebacker duos in the league.

Next Page: 49ers Standout No. 4