2. Defensive Back Jimmie Ward
The 2014 first-round pick is in a weird place with the current 49ers secondary. He’s in a rotational role as a cornerback after the continuation of underwhelming play by Ahkello Witherspoon. This is even though Adrian Colbert is on injured reserve and an open spot became available at Ward’s original position of free safety.
A lot of his place on the team was already questioned before the season had started. Because of a situation of “too many cooks,” the defensive back is at an odd place right now. Trying to find a spot in the rotation that gives him the most playing time and where he has the best success. He doesn’t see that as a cornerback playing opposite of Richard Sherman in a situational role.
However, his versatility is something that makes him an attractive commodity to other teams. Ward is something of a Swiss Army Knife. In that, he can be played at any position in the secondary with success. He began his career as the team’s nickel cornerback. Then became the starting outside cornerback. A season ago he was the team’s starting free safety before his season-ending injury.
Teams can plug him in and play him at any position in the secondary. Contenders that are struggling with defending the pass would be willing to give a solid draft pick for him. The Bengals, Patriots, Chiefs, and Saints come to mind. Any of them would find a place for Ward to excel on a new team.
