Giants Country

This Week 3 Opposing Player Would Look Good on Giants' Defense

The Giants have some questions at inside linebacker, so this choice from the San Francisco 49ers would make perfect sense if the Giants could somehow land him.

Andrew Parsaud

This Week 3 Opposing Player Would Look Good on Giants' Defense
This Week 3 Opposing Player Would Look Good on Giants' Defense /
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As we count down to training camp, the Giants Country editorial team went through the rosters of each of the Giants' 2023 regular-season opponents and selected a player that, if the Giants could acquire for the upcoming season, they absolutely should.

Who did we pick from each team? Stay tuned--and yes, for the NFC East teams, we picked two players since the Giants play them twice.

San Francisco 49ers/Pool Photo via USA TODAY Network

Fred Warner, Middle Linebacker

Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 229 lbs.
College: BYU | Experience: 5
Career Stats: 634 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 23 quarterback hits, 35 pass deflections, 6.5 sacks, four interceptions, one touchdown in 81 career regular season games.
Playoff Stats: 64 tackles, six tackles for loss, two interceptions and four pass deflections in nine postseason games.

The Giants have had obvious glaring holes at some key positions over the last few seasons, none more so than at inside linebacker, where it's been a revolving door.

General manager Joe Schoen however, took a step toward fixing that by signing unrestricted free agent Bobby Okereke from the Colts. But beyond Okereke, who is expected to be an every-down player for the Giants' defense, there are still questions regarding the depth, most of which is relatively inexperienced and unproven.

Currently, the Giants will have Darrian Beavers, Micah McFadden, Cam Brown, and Troy Brown set to compete for spots on the depth chart. But if the Giants could somehow "steal" linebacker Fred Warner from the 49ers, their Week 3 opponent, just think about how much better that defense would be at the second level.

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Warner has arguably been the NFL’s top linebacker for a few seasons. After being drafted by the Niners in 2018 out of BYU, Warner has been a hard-hitting, reliable rock in the middle of San Francisco’s tough defensive front seven.

He has had 115+ tackles in each season since entering the league. Warner, like Okereke, is solid in coverage and has a knack for getting his hands on the ball, deflecting ten passes last season with 35 total in his career.

Warner has also never missed a game in his career, appearing and starting in 81 regular season games. If the Giants could add Warner to join forces with Okereke in the middle of the defense, that would give the Giants a top inside linebacker duo.

Warner also has pass-rushing ability. He doesn’t do it often, but if he were in Wink Martindale’s system, he could be asked to blitz more than he’s used to.

Where Would He Fit In?

Warner would undoubtedly be an instant starter with the Giants. He’s a true three-down linebacker, appearing in no less than 94% of defensive snaps in each of his five seasons thus far. The Giants' front seven would be solidified with Warner added into the mix.

With Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams occupying the middle of the line, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari providing pressure off the edge, and Okereke and Warner surveying the second line of defense, that would put the Giants at a huge advantage among opposing offenses.

One can dream, right?

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Andrew Parsaud
ANDREW PARSAUD

Andrew Parsaud is currently attending Penn State, where he is studying digital journalism and media. He is an avid follower of the major New York sports teams. 

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