Taking Stock of the 49ers Linebackers

Are the 49ers linebackers getting better or worse?

Let's take stock.

Fred Warner

He's still the best middle linebacker in the NFL. This past season, he had four interceptions and four forced fumbles, and he allowed a passer rating of just 76.6 when targeted. And he's only 27. He's the leader of the defense and the best player on the defense -- eat your heart out, Nick Bosa. Warner deserves to win the Defensive Player of the Year Award once in his career, but probably won't because it almost always goes to a pass rusher who has a ton of sacks. Warner's impact is harder to see in the stat sheet, but he essentially is the 49ers' defensive coordinator -- just ask Steve Wilks.

Stock up

Dre Greenlaw

He's the heart of the defense, the player who hits the hardest and he's clutch. Which means he's the 49ers' most underrated player, considering he never has been to a Pro Bowl, which is absurd. Still, he played through injuries most of the season and clearly wasn't himself. Then in the Super Bowl, he ruptured his Achilles tendon simply running onto the field. It's unclear when Greenlaw will return and if he'll be the same player. He'll be 27 in May.

Stock down

Oren Burks

He's a decent special teams player, but he's not a starting linebacker. And in the Super Bowl, he had to replace Greenlaw as the No. 2 linebacker on the defense and got completely exposed. The 49ers need to invest in this position.

Stock down