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When you begin to consider which member of the San Francisco 49ers would be the best one to add to the New York Giants you realize one thing — the 49ers have a lot of really good players.
There are a plethora of 49ers who would really help the Giants.
I took Nick Bosa off the board here for the simple reason that he’s on IR after tearing his ACL. Otherwise, choosing him is a no-brainer. So, I will look elsewhere in this post.
I could have chosen tight end George Kittle. The Giants, though, already have Evan Engram and while I know Kittle has been more productive that didn’t make sense to me.
Richard Sherman would look nice opposite James Bradberry, but he’s a 32-year-old cornerback and with where the Giants are that didn’t make sense, either.
Right tackle Mike McGlinchey is a third-year player who would look nice opposite Andrew Thomas on the Giants’ offensive line.
Defensive linemen Arik Armstead and first-round pick Javon Kinlaw are tempting choices, but hand-in-the-ground defensive linemen are not a need area for the Giants.
Safety Jimmie Ward is a really good player, but the Giants have Jabrill Peppers and, eventually, Xavier McKinney. Julian Love is pretty good, too.
So, I settled on San Francisco linebacker Fred Warner, a multi-dimensional every-down player who is in his third NFL season and is only 23 years old. Technically, he’s an inside linebacker, but look at this chart showing how 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has employed him this season:
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Warner, 6-foot-3, 236 pounds, has been a box safety and a slot corner already this season in addition to “regular” linebacker snaps. Think Patrick Graham would have fun with that skill set?
Here is what our Nick Falato said when I asked him about Warner:
“Warner is a complete LB, absolute stud. He’s athletic, instinctive, good in both phases, incredibly smart.”
Kyle Posey of SB Nation’s Niners Nation endorsed my choice:
“To me, Warner is the best LB in the NFL. He’s the perfect new-age LB. He’s a former safety, and moves like one. he can run with WRs, but he has no issue mixing it up with linemen in the trenches. Last season, Warner was among the best linebackers statistically in coverage. That’s carried over to this season. His stats don’t do him justice, though. Some of Warner’s best plays come where you can’t give him credit in the box score. He’s as aware as it gets for a defensive player. those instincts show up against the run as well. He’s a young, fun, athletic player that has a chance to be an All-Pro this season.”
Who would your choice be? Vote in the poll and let us know.
Poll
Which 49ers player would you most like to add to the Giants’ lineup?
This poll is closed
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1%
CB Richard Sherman
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0%
S Jimmie Ward
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29%
RT Mike McGlinchey
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2%
DT Arik Armstead
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50%
LB Fred Warner
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15%
Someone else