Second year linebacker Dee Winters has a chance to prove himself this year. He’s impressed head coach Kyle Shanahan and All-Pro Fred Warner
Following Day 1 of training camp practice, Kyle Shanahan spoke to the media, gave updates on Trent Williams and Brandon Aiyuk’s contract situations and injuries from day one, and praised second-year linebacker Dee Winters.
Once OTAs concluded, 49ers star linebacker Fred Warner had nothing but great things to say about Winters. Warner said Winters had the best OTAs of any player.
“I feel like he’s come a long way since last year,” Warner said. “I remember he came in as a rookie and was struggling to learn the plays and trying to get in shape, as well as all of those little things you got to learn as a professional.
Warner continued by saying Winters came into OTAs in great shape and has set himself up to have a great training camp.
Shanahan echoed Warner’s praise when asked about the former TCU linebacker.
LB Fred Warner said during minicamp that LB Dee Winters was the best player in OTAs. What have you seen from that second-year player? What kind of jump has he made?
“He made a huge jump. Always waiting to see the guys to do that in the second year and I thought he really did in OTAs. I think it was nice for him not having Fred and [LB] Dre [Greenlaw] out there. So he gets a lot of reps. And he was ready for those reps. When you go through your rookie year sometimes things click for guys and I think being behind guys like Dre and Fred being able to watch how they work. He’s kind of clone himself after those guys, just the work ethic being a pro and just so dialed in and locked into everything. He was so ready for OTAs and when you’re that ready for OTAs, then you get so much better in OTAs which will allow him to be a lot better here in training camp.”
Shanahan continued to speak about Winters when asked about Ji’Ayir Brown’s progress and compared their situations by saying:
“I talk about Dee Winters, someone who was always ready but never really got that opportunity. Tig was the same, but he did get it. And then when you’re ready for it and you get to play through some stuff, it makes you so much better, the experience, and he took that right into the offseason.”
With the injury to Dre Greenlaw in the Super Bowl likely keeping Greenlaw from starting the season with the 49ers, Winters would be a welcome addition to the linebacker rotation.
For a full breakdown of day one of training camp, watch the video below:
