From a nickname to reality, Fred Warner named to AP First Team All-Pro List.
Today is a great day for fans of the 49ers, as Fred Warner received his first All-Pro nod of his career.
This is a great moment for me personally as a fan of the team and the player. I recall scouting Fred Warner extensively and really liking his ability throughout the draft process.
Taking a trip down memory lane:
Fred was someone who jumped off the screen early for me and how could he not? He was a 6'3" 225 LB beast who could move sideline-to-sideline with the best of them. His biggest knock coming out of BYU is people didn't know where to put him in the NFL because he was position-diverse in college, playing: Safety - LB - Nickel CB - EDGE and doing well at all roles.
For example, you can see below in a mock draft I did in 2018 and where his value was at the time. His talent clearly far exceeded his perception early in the draft process.
The reason I stuck with Fred Warner is because of my evaluation of now Chargers S Derwin James the year prior.
I had concerns about the former FSU Safety transitioning to the NFL because he did so many things well, just like with Fred's initial eval. I didn't know where Derwin was going to play in the NFL. I was worried he would be asked to be a typical cover safety in the league and felt he would struggle in that role. Luckily, the team that drafted him played to his strengths and he quickly became one of the best safeties in the league.
So I learned from that experience with Derwin and transferred it over to Fred's evaluation and I am glad I did.
Fast forward to Draft day, the 49ers select Fred Warner in the 3rd round and it absolutely turned into a blessing.
The 49ers personnel and staff took this young, raw, freak athlete, and turned him into the new prototypical standard for MLB in the NFL after just his 3rd season.
He has taken all the traits that allowed him to play all over the field at BYU and funnel into the baddest run-stuffing, gap shooting, coverage MLB to ever walk the face of the planet.
Yes, you know me. If I believe it, I will say it and I truly believe
Fred has all the tools to be the best LB to ever play the game.
The Story Of The Infamous 'All Pro Fred' Nickname
So as you can see, Fred and I go back to #DraftSZN and you will start to notice a trend: If I crush on you during #DraftSZN - I will likely love you for your career.
I have always hyped up Fred because it has been deserved, but 3rd round 'developmental' prospects out of BYU don't get much hype playing for a losing team.
During the epic 2019 season, the 49ers had plenty of eyes on the squad but it still seemed like people weren't talking enough about Fred Warner and his impact to the leagues top defense, especially with the Pro Bowl approaching.
So, I started calling him 'Pro Bowl Warner'. George Kittle, being a supporter of the page, also started calling him something similar: 'Pro Bowl Fred'.
In my head, I was like - Damn, it sounds so much better with 'Fred' instead of 'Warner' lol
Then as the season progressed and the 'Pro Bowl Fred' campaign was in full swing, we played the Ravens and Fred locked up Mark Andrews, Lamar Jackson, and Hollywood Brown, some of the most athletic players at their respected position.
After that, it was clear that Fred was playing at an extremely high-level and even out-performing his 'Pro Bowl Fred' nickname.
That is when we took Pro Bowl Fred and evolved into All Pro Fred because we understand the Pro Bowl is popularity contest and that Fred was even better than his original nickname implied.
Fred Warner went on to miss both Pro Bowl and All Pro teams in 2019.
Having some time to reflect always brings me back to why I love doing this. I love watching people fight past what other people think and say they are and evolve into the best versions of themselves, like Kittle, Like Fred, like a lot of our players.
Excited for #HallOfFameFred next.
