Most NFL experts will tell you that San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner is the best player at his position in the game, and No. 2 isn’t even close, whomsoever that player may be. The two-time Pro Bowler and two-time First-Team All-Pro is having another fantastic season in 2023, with two sacks, four total pressures, 30 tackles, a forced fumble, and 22 catches allowed on 25 targets for 200 yards, 103 air yards, no touchdowns, one interception, one pass breakup, and an opponent passer rating of 82.1.
But there was one play against the Dallas Cowboys in Sunday night’s 42-10 spanking of America’s Team that really made it clear just how remarkable Warner is at everything a linebacker is supposed to do.
With 14:21 left in the first half, the Cowboys had third-and-2 at their own 10-yard line. Dallas head coach and offensive “shot-caller” (that’s a separate issue) Mike McCarthy called a mesh concept (short crossers to either side) with tight end Jake Ferguson and receiver CeeDee Lamb on that, and receiver Brandin Cooks running a short route right over it. The plan here was just to get enough yards to move the sticks.
And that’s where Warner came in. Not only did he blow up the entire mesh concept by knocking both Ferguson AND Lamb off their spots, but he then carried Prescott outside the pocket when those reads were gone… and then, he got his hands up to make Prescott think twice about throwing anything else.
From there, it was Warner’s second sack of the 2023 season.
Fred Warner blew up the Cowboys' entire mesh concept in coverage and then sacked Dak Prescott.
On the same freakin' play.
DPOY talk should be louder. pic.twitter.com/DevFYO8L9Z
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) October 9, 2023
You will not find many defensive players at any position who can turn an entire offense out with his presence, but Warner is the exception, and he has been just that for a while now.
“Yeah, if they put me in the conversation, great,” Warner said after the game, regarding his Defensive Player of the Year prospects. “To me, I know what I have to contribute to this team. I know the caliber player I am, and I don’t need anyone else’s recognition or people to tell me how great I am. I want to be the best person I can be and the best player I can be for my teammates and for this team. We know what we have ahead of us and the goals we’ve set out for ourselves. All the other stuff will take care of itself when you’re doing things the right way day in and day out. I’m just really grateful for this moment, seriously.”
Well, as far as I’m concerned, Warner should at least be in the conversation when that vote comes around.
