Defensive back Jimmie Ward was the 49ers’ first-round draft pick in 2014. It’s a fact that’s easy to forget, considering he’s only once played all 16 games in a season, and only appeared in seven games during 2017 before he was knocked out with a broken forearm.
In addition to the question marks surrounding his durability, there is debate about where Ward will feature in the 49ers’ secondary. Ward was originally pegged as a single high free safety in Robert Salah’s system, but on a team with a number of quality safeties and a huge hole at corner back, playing at corner in 2018 might make more sense if Ward can truly play both positions. Ward also has one year left on his contract, so establishing himself at either position will be a necessity if he is to remain with the team long term.
49ers beat writer Matt Maiocco attempted to clarify the Ward situation when he joined Murph & Mac on Thursday, saying that while Ward can play multiple positions, they believe he can be a Pro Bowler at safety.
“When you look at that contract for next year, $8.5 million, he’s not an $8.5 million player,” Maiocco said. “He’s missed 22 games over four seasons with injuries, but because the 49ers don’t have any financial commitment to him beyond this season, I think they can soak in that $8.5 million salary.
“Now, they do need a cornerback. They look pretty good at the safety position, they like Jaquaski Tartt, Adrian Colbert really played well. What I know from the 49ers’ thinking is that they think Jimmy Ward can be a decent, acceptable NFL starting cornerback, but they believe that he is Pro Bowl caliber, has the potential to be Pro Bowl caliber at free safety. My thought would be that they’ll keep him at free safety.”
If that’s the case, it would seem the 49ers would be unlikely to sign free agent safety Eric Reid, unless they believe he can make a transition to playing linebacker full time.
“They’ll try to bring in some cornerbacks, because what we saw this year by the end of the season, the 49ers’ No. 3 and No. 4 safeties were starting because of injury. Whether Ward is out there all the time next season at safety, or he’s being used 2/3 of the time as an extra defensive back, I would think that they’ll keep him at safety just because they think the ceiling is so high for him at that position.”
Listen to the full interview below. To hear Maiocco’s take on Ward, skip to 7:45
