Although he’s still playing like one of the best in the NFL, the Washington Commanders know the time to replace 35-year-old Bobby Wagner will be sooner rather than later. So it’s a good thing they have a younger “modern linebacker” already being compared to Fred Warner.
The San Francisco 49ers All-Pro is arguably the best-in-class as an off-ball linebacker in today’s game. Any comparison to Warner is a lofty one, but one former Washington player believes second-year pro Jordan Magee merits the praise.
Logan Paulsen spent six years playing tight end for the Burgundy and Gold, and he talked Magee up on The Team 980’s “Take Command” podcast. Paulsen explained how Magee “kind of checks all these boxes that you want for, like, a modern linebacker. When I think about modern linebacker, it’s Fred Warner, right? It’s this guy that can cover, can get downhill can play sideline to sideline, and there were shades of that when he (Magee) played at Temple.”
Those words may read as overly optimistic about Magee’s development, but it’s important to remember Warner was only a third-round pick back in 2018. The former BYU ace outplayed his draft status and became elite.
Paulsen hopes Magee gets the same chance, even though he acknowledged injury “sidelined” the player’s development as a rookie. Fortunately, it sounds like the “process” will “get started” this year, giving Magee the chance “to show that he’s the, you know, heir apparent to Bobby Wagner, you know, whenever Bobby chooses to walk away.”
Wagner’s not primed to step aside, not when he’s still performing like one of football’s elite, but this will be a vital year for the Commanders to gauge exactly what they have in Magee.
Commanders Still Have Big Plans for Jordan Magee
Head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. originally had big plans for 2024 NFL draft fifth-rounder Magee. Plans based on moving the quick-twitch athlete all over the field, only for knee and hamstring injuries to thwart the coaches’ intentions.
Those ailments limited Magee to a mere eight games and just a single start, but the Commanders aren’t giving up on their grand plan for the 24-year-old. They intend to put Magee onto the field with Wagner and fellow linebacker Frankie Luvu to help fortify a soft run defense.
Playing three linebackers more often will beef up the front seven if Magee can make plays like this downhill seek-and-destroy run stop for Temple, highlighted by NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah.
Magee has the aggressive instincts the Commanders need to repel the run, but his range in coverage can also be an asset. Enough to keep him on the field in nickel sets, provided Magee can overcome intense competition from a “freak” athlete and hybrid safety.
Bein a three-down playmaker in space is what defines a prototypical linebacker. It’s what helps Wagner still keep pace with Warner.
Bobby Wagner Still Comparable to Fred Warner
Replacing Wagner will be no small task when he’s a player destined to wear a gold jacket in the not too distant future. He remains enough of a force to still be comparable to Warner.
The latter recently ranked the No. 1 off-ball linebacker in the league, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, with one unnamed NFL coordinator crediting the Niners star with having “always been the best in the world in the passing game — range, instincts, ball production.”
Wagner didn’t make the top 10, although Luvu placed fifth. Instead, Wagner had to settle for an honorable mention, with one AFC executive telling Fowler, “the physical skills have declined, but he can compensate with all-world instincts.”
If his play strength is diminishing, Wagner’s numbers are not. His technique, coordination and knack for putting himself wherever the ball is have built an historic streak of 100-plus tackles per season.
Wagner’s not set to exit stage left just yet, and nor are the Commanders ready to replace him, but that could change if Magee produces something special this year.
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