Fred Warner excels at just about every aspect of playing linebacker in the NFL, from stopping the run, covering receivers and tight ends downfield and even the occasional blitz.
The fiery leader of the San Francisco 49ers defense was voted the overwhelming choice as the top linebacker in the league by The Associated Press.
A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers ranked the top five players at linebacker, basing selections on current status entering the 2024 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points.
Warner got seven of the eight first-place votes and one second-place vote. Roquan Smith was the only other player named on all eight ballots and received one first-place vote and six seconds.
Demario Davis got the remaining second-place vote and came in third, followed by C.J. Mosley and Matt Milano.
Patrick Queen, Quincy Williams, Lavonte David, Bobby Wagner and Azeez Al-Shaair also got votes.
1. FRED WARNER, San Francisco 49ers
The Niners are on their fourth defensive coordinator in five seasons but the major factor that makes the San Francisco defense consistently one of the league’s best is the versatility of Warner, who has been a first-team All-Pro in three of the past four seasons.
He keys the run defense for San Francisco but truly shines when it comes to the pass game. In an era where opposing offenses often try to target slower linebackers in coverage, Warner is able to stick close in coverage downfield against both tight ends and speedier wide receivers. He set career highs last season with four interceptions, four forced fumbles and 11 passes defensed.
2. ROQUAN SMITH, Baltimore Ravens
Smith helped elevate the Baltimore defense after being acquired from Chicago before the 2022 trade deadline and is close to Warner in his versatility and ability to thrive in any role.
He has the speed to cover sideline to sideline and is a sure tackler with only 11 missed tackles last season.
3. DEMARIO DAVIS, New Orleans Saints
The 35-year-old Davis has shown few signs of slowing down and is still one of the top linebackers in the game. He is coming off his 11th straight season with at least 90 tackles and has had a career-high 6 1/2 sacks in each of the past two seasons.
The only other player since 2000 with back-to-back seasons with at least 100 tackles and six sacks is Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher.
4. C.J. MOSLEY, New York Jets
After playing only two games in 2019-20 because of injuries and the pandemic, the 32-year-old Mosley has had a late-career revival with the Jets.
He ranks fourth in the NFL with 478 tackles the past three seasons and is one of six players since 2000 to post at least 150 tackles in three straight seasons.
5. MATT MILANO, Buffalo Bills
Milano’s season-ending leg injury in Week 5 last season dealt a major blow to Buffalo’s defense. When healthy, few linebackers are as versatile as Milano.
He had two interceptions in his limited time last season after picking off three passes in 2022 when he was a first-team All-Pro.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
By JOSH DUBOW
AP Pro Football Writer