2018 Raiders Draft Prospect: LB Fred Warner

2018 Raiders Prospect Profile

Name: Fred Warner

Position: LB

School: BYU

Height: 6’3”

Weight: 235 pounds

Stats

Tackling

While Warner possesses the size to drill ballcarriers, he prefers to take the safe route. As a result, he does not own a vast library of highlight reel hits. However, Warner will not take huge gamble with the ball anywhere near him. He displays good leverage, wrap, and drive with his tackles. Under those circumstances, playing safe works. Instead of chunk yardage due to a missed tackles, Warner uses his mind.

Strength

Warner could probably stand to gain 8-10 pounds. With more mass, this allows him to blitz more effectively. Additionally, he could use more tools to shed blocks. Instead of just quickness, Warner could cast aside opponents to make plays in the run game.

Speed

Warner possesses above-average sideline-to-sideline ability. With this in mind, he also covers well vertically, in either zone or man. During running plays, Warner shoots in and makes the play. His explosion helps him also disrupt screens and short pass completions. In addition, Warner excels in backside pursuit.

Agility

When locked up on a back/tight end/receiver, Warner can flip his hips and keep up. On out routes, he reads the receivers and adjusts to a quicker route.

Awareness

Warner will quickly diagnose a play and take his first step towards the action. Too often, unsure players will overanalyze and hesitate. On the other hand, Warner will see and go. In return, this gives him the advantage over offensive lineman that arrives slower. Not to mention, Warner seems to be a ball magnet. During his days in Provo, he grabbed seven INT and deflected 13 passes. Also, he forced three fumbles while recovering five.

Raiders Fit

As a former linebacker, Paul Guenther puts pressure on that group to make the underneath plays. With only four rushing, the outside linebackers must cover and provide run support. In fact, the Guenther’s defense gears itself toward the linebacker. The double A gap blitz is a staple of this scheme. Warner could use that burst to shoot the game or drop into coverage when the middle linebacker rushes. If you look at the current crop of linebackers, the Raiders lack depth and coverage ability. Granted, Nicholas Morrow showed flashed last year. However, under a new coordinator and system, can he hold his job? Warner gives the Raiders a chance to solidify coverage. With Travis Kelce in the division, the Oakland Raiders need to solidify this group via the draft. Warner looks to be a Day 2 prospect.