Team hopingWarner can be one to shrink the field
SANTA CLARA » Rookie Fred Warner has a legacy to follow, regardless of whether he has to replace fellow 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster at any point this season.
Warner is a thirdround draft pick. The 49ers have had pretty good luck drafting linebackers in that round in their history, from longtime starters Bill Romanowski (1988), Jeff Ulbrich (2000) and NaVorro Bowman (2010) to shorttimer Chris Borland (2014).
“I’m hoping to come in and follow their lead,” Warner said, in particular to Bowman and his former sidekick Patrick Willis (2007 first round).
Warner makes his practice- field debut today for a two- day minicamp with the other eight members of his draft class, 13 undrafted players who’ve signed and several others trying out for future consideration.
At 6- foot- 3 and 236 pounds, Warner looks more like an outside linebacker or perhaps a defensive back than an oldschool middle linebacker. That’s OK, because he represents a hot trend in the NFL.
“This is a passing league now,” Warner said. “Teams are passing the ball about 65 percent of the time and you need linebackers who can move and cover, and that’s why I feel I fit perfect in what we’re doing.”
Warner could be pressed into action as a rookie starter if Foster is dealt a suspension from the NFL in the wake of his offseason arrests, including felony charges of domestic violence.
Whereas Foster ’ s frame (6-1, 228) is perhaps prototypical of an inside linebacker, Warner’s athleticism and range blends in with other new standouts around the league such as the Atlanta Falcons’ Deion Jones (6- 2, 200) and the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Telvin Smith (6- 3, 218).
“Those are kind of like the new- age linebackers. They’re not the big bruisers,” Warner said. “They’re kind of the smaller guys that can run and cover, and they’re physical dudes, too.”
What about a bigger guy who can run and cover?
“Maybe that’s the next step. It’s just good I have the added length,” Warner replied.
Warner started 42 of 49 games at BYU, and despite leading the team in sacks the past two seasons, one stat that is particularly noteworthy is this: 13 pass breakups. Warner’s coverage ability is a coveted asset in the pass- happy NFL.
“He’s a guy who is comfortable playing in space and a very efficient linebacker, uses his hands well,” General Manager John Lynch said Friday after drafting Warner.
“Guys that have great length and great ability to move in a real athletic fashion, it shrinks the field,” Lynch added. “And we think Fred’s one of those guys who can shrink the field.”
Coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged that Warner has similarities to Bobby Wagner, whose been at the center of the Seattle Seahawks’ similar defensive scheme in recent years.
Warner will start off wearing No. 48. That’s the same number with which Aldon Smith began his career in 1999 before switching in training camp to No. 99 because, as Smith said then: “I want to be the best, and 100 is the best you can be, so 99 is the closest you can get to 100.”
Only two 49ers linebackers are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Dave Wilcox (2000) and Charles Haley ( 2015). Willis is eligible come 2020.
• Dante Pettis joins the 49ers after returning a NCAA-record nine punts for touchdowns.
Before you start envisioning Pettis as the NFL’s next greatest punt returner, he signaled Thursday for a fair catch on that.
“I kind of view myself as a receiver and not really a punt returner,” Pettis said. “Everything I aim for is receiver-wise and not really punt returner.”
Shanahan is likely fine with that approach, seeing as how he touted Pettis’ receiving exploits last Friday upon drafting the Washington product. The 49ers traded up 15 spots to select Pettis in the second round (44th overall).
“He knows I can move around and I don’t have a problem with it,” said Pettis, noting that his speed, athleticism and route running are his best receiving attributes.
• Other jersey numbers assigned to the draft picks and subject to change: right tackle Mike McGlinchey (69); wide receivers Pettis ( 18) and Richie James (82); defensive backs Tarvarius Moore (45), D. J. Reed (40) and Marcell Harris (49); and, defensive ends Kentavius Street (95) and Jullian Taylor ( 77).
Steven Dunbar, an undrafted rookie receiver from Houston, was assigned No. 7, which quarterback Colin Kaepernick famously wore before fellow quarterback Matt Barkley assumed it last year prior to getting cut.