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ESPN Ranks Fred Warner No. 1 Off-Ball Linebacker for 2026
ESPN surveyed more than 70 league executives, coaches and scouts for its seventh annual position rankings. Fred Warner of the San Francisco 49ers earned the top spot despite missing most of last season with an ankle injury.
Jul 14, 6:35 PM·1m read1 source
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ESPN ranked Fred Warner of the San Francisco 49ers as the top off-ball linebacker for 2026. The 29-year-old received around 70 percent of first-place votes from more than 70 voters who submitted ballots. Warner held the No.
1 position from last year's rankings and earned All-Pro honors four times since 2020. An ankle injury limited him to six games last season, where he recorded 51 tackles, three pass deflections, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. " Roquan Smith of the Baltimore Ravens placed second.
The 29-year-old earned three Pro Bowl selections and two first-team All-Pro nods during his time in Baltimore. Smith is one of two players, along with Bobby Wagner, to record at least 130 tackles in each of the past six seasons. ESPN compiled the rankings based on the number of top-10 votes, composite averages and interviews with voters.
The survey asked participants to evaluate current performance rather than project future value or recognize career achievements. The 2026 NFL training camps are approaching. The No. 1 off-ball linebacker has come from the NFC West for three consecutive years.
The 2026 top-10 list featured five debuts and one re-entry at the position.
