Do the 49ers have the best linebacker room in the NFL heading into 2024?
Do the 49ers have the best linebacker room in the NFL heading into 2024?
When it comes to the San Francisco 49ers defense, many point to Fred Warner as the heartbeat of the group, given the dynamic role he plays at middle linebacker.
Warner, a third-round pick back in 2018, has been one of the biggest elements of the 49ers defense since his arrival in the NFL, developing into one of the best coverage linebackers, while also having a physical presence at the line of scrimmage.
Then, when you add in Dre Greenlaw, who has really come along the last two years after getting extended, it’s clear that the 49ers have one of the best linebacker rooms in the NFL.
However, entering the 2024 season, the 49ers are facing a different situation, as Greenlaw will likely miss the first part of the season after suffering a torn Achilles injury in the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs.
To offset the loss, San Francisco added veteran linebacker DeVondre Campbell on a one-year, $5 million deal, bringing experience into a room that has a bevy of young talent.
With the injury to Greenlaw, where does the 49ers linebacker rank heading into 2024?
Looking at overall linebacker units for the next season, PFF ranked San Francisco’s group as the No. 2 unit in the NFL, dropping them one spot from the top ranking in 2023, citing Greenlaw’s injury as the main reason.
“Fred Warner, arguably the best linebacker in the NFL right now, has earned PFF grades above 80.0 in each of the past four seasons. The 49ers would have a case for the No. 1 spot if not for Dre Greenlaw’s injury in the Super Bowl, making his availability to start the 2024 season a question mark. But in signing De’Vondre Campbell, who has earned PFF grades above 65.0 in each of the past three seasons, they have given themselves a cushion.”
Instead, the New York Jets took the top spot this year, with the duo of Quincy Williams and C.J. Mosley leading the way.
“The Jets rostered two of the 10 highest-graded linebackers in the NFL last season. C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams were at their best in coverage, where they ranked first and second in PFF grade at the position, respectively.”
Now, looking at the 49ers unit, Greenlaw’s recovery will surely be a key factor for how the linebacker play will look in 2024.
While Campbell provides San Francisco with some key experience, the 2021 All-Pro saw his play wane over the last two seasons with the Green Bay Packers. The 49ers hope that playing in a better defensive system alongside Warner and the talented San Francisco defense will elevate his play back near those 2021 levels.
Behind Campbell, the 49ers have a number of younger, inexperienced options.
The team drafted two linebackers last year, Dee Winters and Jalen Graham, who both made the 53-man roster, despite being selected in the sixth and seventh rounds, respectively, of the 2023 NFL Draft.
In addition, the 49ers still have special-teams ace Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, who has been a player that San Francisco has relied on in the past when injuries occur.
Overall, Greenlaw is a key part of the unit, but Warner is the X-Factor, as San Francisco’s defense is at its best when the star linebacker is at his ‘A’ game.
While his play wasn’t at its peak near the end of the season last year, Warner is still the best linebacker in the NFL, and will look to maintain the standard in his age-28 season in 2024.