No. 1: Defensive Back Jimmie Ward
His rookie year in 2014, defensive back Jimmie Ward was asked to move from his natural free safety spot to nickel corner. He then moved to the outside in 2015 and 2016 before transitioning to free safety in 2017.
Heading into 2018, Robert Saleh is asking Ward to move back to cornerback.
Ward’s best years at the NFL level were spent on the outside. For example, he posted 77.7 and 74.5 overall grades in 2015 and 2016, respectively, per Pro Football Focus. Last year at safety, he had just a 46.9 mark. Combine that with Ward’s injury history (he’s landed on injured reserve in three of his first four seasons at the NFL level), it’s easy to see why Ward is on the hot seat entering 2018.
Out of all the players listed, though, Ward has the best chance to stick around on the roster. San Francisco already picked up Ward’s fifth-year option, and his $8.526 million for this year is fully guaranteed.
Yet Ward is, essentially, a player without a position. Second-year pro Adrian Colbert has all but established himself as the team’s starting free safety this season. And with cornerbacks Ahkello Witherspoon and Richard Sherman set to lock down the outside duties, along with K’Waun Williams at nickel, Ward is appearing to be little more than an expensive backup.
The 49ers aren’t in any sort of salary cap hell this season, meaning they can afford to keep Ward around through 2018. And given the relative lack of experience within San Francisco’s secondary, it’s a luxury the Niners won’t mind.
At least for this season.
To expect Ward to stick around beyond 2018, though, is a massive reach.