Do the 49ers have the best linebacker room in the NFL in 2024?

When it comes to the San Francisco 49ers defense, many point to Fred Warner as the heart of the group, given the dynamic role he plays at middle linebacker.

Then when you add in Dre Greenlaw, who has really progressed over the last two years after being extended, it’s clear that the 49ers have one of the best linebacker rooms in the NFL.

However, heading into the 2024 season, the 49ers face a different situation, as Greenlaw will likely miss the first part of the season after suffering an Achilles injury in the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs .

To make up for the loss, San Francisco added veteran linebacker DeVondre Campbell on a one-year, $5 million deal, bringing experience to a room that has a wealth of young talent.

When looking at the entire linebacker units for next season, PFF ranked San Francisco’s group second in the NFL, dropping them one spot from the top rankings in 2023, citing Greenlaw’s injury as the primary reason.

“Fred Warner, arguably the best linebacker in the NFL right now, has PFF grades above 80.0 in each of the last four seasons. The 49ers would have a strong case for the top spot if not for Dre Greenlaw’s injury in the Super Bowl, which would make his availability to start the 2024 season a question mark. But by signing De’Vondre Campbell, who had PFF grades above 65.0 in each of the last three seasons, they gave themselves a margin of safety.

Instead, the New York Jets took first place this year, with the duo of Quincy Williams and CJ Mosley leading the way.

“The Jets signed two of the 10 highest-rated linebackers in the NFL last season. CJ Mosley and Quincy Williams were at their best in coverage, where they ranked first and second, respectively, in PFF class at the position.

Now, looking at the 49ers’ unit, Greenlaw’s recovery will surely be a key factor in how the linebackers play looks in 2024.

Although Campbell brings key experience to San Francisco, the 2021 All-Pro has seen his play decline over the past two seasons with the Green Bay Packers. The 49ers are hoping that playing in a better defensive system alongside Warner and San Francisco’s talented defense will elevate his game to a level close to that of 2021.

Behind Campbell, the 49ers have a number of younger, inexperienced options.

The team drafted two linebackers last year, Dee Winters and Jalen Graham, both of whom were on the 53-man roster despite being selected in the sixth and seventh rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft, respectively.

Additionally, the 49ers still have special teams ace Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, a player San Francisco has relied on in the past when injured.

Overall, Greenlaw is a key part of the unit, but Warner is the X-factor, as San Francisco’s defense is at its best when the star linebacker is at his best.

Even though his game wasn’t at its peak late in the season last year, Warner is still the best linebacker in the NFL and will look to continue that level in his age-28 season in 2024.