Former Cougar Fred Warner ranks as highest graded PFF defender through NFL week 5

New season, same Fred Warner.

Through five weeks in the 2024 NFL season, the former BYU star has continued to show why he is one of the league's elite linebackers. And if you ask Pro Football Focus, he's been the best.

Warner has a 94.1 grade on PFF, which is above the current betting favorite for defensive player of the year, Detroit's Aidan Hutchinson, who clocks in at 93.8.

Through five games, Warner has 39 tackles, two tackles for a loss and two interceptions, one of which he returned for a 45-yard touchdown.

This season might be even more special for Warner than people realize.

When asked if Warner was playing the best football of his career, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told NBC Sports Bay Area, "I would say yes."

"He is elite," Shanahan said. "We're all seeing a big-time Hall of Fame player having a Hall of Fame year right now."

Warner, who is in his seventh season out of BYU, is getting some early defensive player of the year buzz.

After the 49ers victory over New England in week four, ESPN staff writer Bill Barnwell thought it was a "no-brainer" who was the best defensive player in the league.

"Through four games, he has been more impactful than any other defensive player," Barnwell said.

Last season, Warner finished sixth in defensive player of the year voting, his highest ever. He'll have his work cut out for him the rest of the season if he stands a chance at winning the hardware.

Currently, the reigning NFC champs from San Francisco are a disappointing 2-3, with injuries on its roster piling up. Warner is one of the only constants on this team that is playing a lot of second- and third-string players.

Warner and the 49ers will play a crucial divisional rivalry game as they head to Seattle to play the Seahawks on Thursday.

With the season already off to a rocky start, this may be a must-win game for San Francisco.