Examining the fit: CB Charvarius Ward

By Scooter_McG

The NFL's legal tampering period ahead of the start of the new league year has commenced, and with it the 49ers have seen their two prize free agents find new homes - Laken Tomlinson has reportedly agreed to terms with the New York Jets on a deal worth over $40M over three years while DJ Jones has signed with the Denver Broncos on a 3 year $30M deal. 

The team has some ready made replacements for those two roster spots already on the books with 2020 1st round pick Javon Kinlaw and 2021 2nd round pick Aaron Banks. Kinlaw was already seeing starter snaps next to Jones before his knee injury in 2021, and will now likely slide over with Armstead staying at DT in 2022. Banks on the other hand was largely unseen last season but the expectation will no doubt be that he can take one of the two starting OG spots in 2022 (noting RG Brunskill also remains unsigned at this point in time). 

While the team sustained some losses on the first day of the legal tampering period, they also made their first foray into the 2022 free agent market with the signing of former Kansas City Chiefs CB Charvarius Ward. Rumours from the combine were that the 49ers were expected to be very active in the CB market, and this was borne out as they inquired about the top two CB options in JC Jackson and Carlton Davis (both of whom were signed quickly to deals of $16.5M and $15M per year, respectively). Once those two players were signed the 49ers turned their full attention to Ward, agreeing to terms on a 3 year deal reportedly worth $40.5M, with $26.7M in guarantees. 

The currently reported deal will no doubt include some agent speak and the full $40.5M is unlikely to be realised, but even so at a reported value of around $13.5M per annum shows how serious the 49ers were about upgrading the CB position.

Ward brings a nice physical presence at 6'1" and around 200lbs, and has the speed to carry WRs down the field with a 40 time of 4.44s at his pro day. 

Ward was originally signed by the Cowboys in 2018 as an undrafted free agent out of Middle Tennessee, but was traded to the Chiefs before the season started. He was active for 13 games as a rookie (2 starts) but worked his way up the Chiefs depth chart thereafter. In his four year career he has played in 56 regular season games with 43 starts, recording 4 INTs and 29 passes defensed. He has also played in 11 post season games (10 starts), with 0 INTs and 9 PDs. He is still only 25 years old and is an ascending player. 

Based on data from Pro Football Reference, since 2019 Ward has allowed a completion rate of 51.1% against his coverage during the regular season, while QBs have posted a passer rating of just 79.7 when targeting Ward. His 2021 season effectively mirrored his average since 2019, with a completion percent of 51.3% and QB rating allowed of 79.4. Next Gen Stats suggest Ward's completion rate allowed was lower at just 45% in 2021 (second lowest among defensive backs), which according to PFF dropped to 38.3% when in man coverage, while he also allowed the lowest average separation on targets (2 yards). 

In addition to his coverage, another area that no doubt appealed to the 49ers was his missed tackle percentage of just 5%, ranking Ward for the lowest missed tackle percentage among the top 75 outside CBs in tackles since 2019. 

Ward is exclusively an outside CB. However, he has left and right CB flexibility having played both sides during his time with the Chiefs and was often matched against the opponents top WR. He excels playing in man coverage, which should pair nicely with 2021 3rd round pick Ambry Thomas who was a primarily man cover CB for Michigan. With these moves in back to back years it indicates the 49ers may be considering using more man coverage concepts moving forward. 

The signing also gives the 49ers three CBs they should feel comfortable with on the outside, as he joins Moseley and Thomas. Moseley will likely be given first shot to start opposite Ward, but Thomas should be given an opportunity to compete for the job. With K'Waun Williams a free agent there is also potential that Moseley may be moved to the slot when the team is in nickel. 

I have to admit this was more money than I anticipated the 49ers to put into signing a CB, and it is probably more money than many expected Ward to get. But contract aside, the signing of Ward looks to be a good one for the 49ers and should help solidify a position that last year was exposed as being perilously thin and required a large number of snaps from the likes of Josh Norman and Dontae Johnson, and even resorted to using a washed Dre Kirkpatrick. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if the team looks to add another veteran CB for depth such as bringing Jason Verrett back on an incentive laden deal.