T.J. Ward

37-Year-Old SafetyS

Free Agent

2024 Defense Stats

TCKL

SACKS

0.0

INT

Rest-of-Season Projections

TCKL

SACKS

INT

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2024 Fantasy Outlook

There was no outlook written for T.J. Ward in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.

Height 5'10"

Weight 200

DOB 12/12/1986

College Oregon

Drafted 2nd Rd 2010 #38 Overall

Hanging up cleats

SFree Agent

April 21, 2021

Ward announced Wednesday in a statement that he has retired from professional football.

ANALYSIS
The 35-year-old defensive back hasn't played in a game since 2017, but he resurfaced with the Cardinals' practice squad at one point in 2020. Ward made 99 NFL starts for three different teams, peaking in the 2013 and 2014 seasons, when he earned back-to-back Pro Bowl nods for the Browns and Broncos, respectively. His best statistical seasons mostly came in Cleveland, but Ward is arguably better known as part of the "No Fly Zone" for dominant Denver secondaries in 2014 and 2015.

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NFL Stats

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2017

2016

2017 NFL Game Log

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2024 T.J. Ward Split Stats

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Measurables Review

How do T.J. Ward's measurables compare to other safeties?

This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.

Height

5' 10"

Weight

200 lbs

40-Yard Dash

4.56 sec

Vertical Jump

34.0 in

Broad Jump

121 in

Bench Press

19 reps

Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring T.J. Ward See More

Team Previews: 2018 Denver Broncos

July 28, 2018

Andy Segedin weighs whether offseason roster tinkering has the Broncos back on track.

Week 15: Gameday Injuries

December 17, 2017

Plenty of notable names will be out of uniform in a pivotal Week 15, while one key piece returns to action after an extended absence. Juan Carlos Blanco guides you through the injury maze in the thick of fantasy postseason.

Week 14: Gameday Injuries

December 10, 2017

A number of notable names at quarterback, running back and receiver have health-related question marks heading into Week 14. Juan Carlos Blanco gives you the latest on the status of key pieces to help you set your fantasy playoff lineups.

Week 13: Gameday Injuries

December 3, 2017

A full slate of games and a host of key injury-related question marks make Week 13 particularly intriguing. Juan Carlos Blanco guides you through the potential landmines as you set your lineups Sunday morning.

Matchup Edge: Fournette Rebound

December 2, 2017

Leonard Fournette disappointed against the Cardinals last week, but with week of full practices the rookie should bounce back against the Colts.

Past Fantasy Outlooks

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

Ward is coming off his most productive season with the Broncos, tallying 87 tackles, three forced fumbles, eight passes defended, a sack, and a pick in 2016. Ward in many ways was a forbearer to the new wave of safety/linebacker hybrids popping up all over the league. On passing downs, Ward spends a good deal of his time in the box tracking backs and tight ends while fellow safeties Darian Stewart and Justin Simmons float over the top. The style of play makes Ward less likely to rack up the kind of interception totals to catch fantasy owners' eyes. This season will be a big one for Ward, who turns 31 in December. He's coming to the end of his contract and the team spent third and sixth-round picks, respectively, last year on Simmons and Will Parks along with providing its largest undrafted free agent signing bonus to Miami's Jamal Carter this offseason. A productive season could keep him in Denver's No Fly Zone for a few more seasons.

In merely 12 games last season, Ward posted 61 tackles and failed to intercept a pass, marking his lowest statistical totals since his eight-game 2011 campaign. The Broncos often used multiple safeties in nickel and dime situations last year – usually bumping Ward down into a safety/linebacker hybrid. The strengths of the team could push Ward into a similar role again in 2016, particularly with inside linebacker Danny Trevathan now in Chicago and third-round pick Justin Simmons being groomed to help Darian Stewart patrol the deep part of the field. Such a role makes Ward a vital cog in Denver's defense on the field, but might render him a jack-of-all-trades, but master of none from a fantasy perspective.

Ward joined the Broncos last season after a career-year in 2013 with the Browns, but he failed to live up to his 112-tackle level of that season despite playing only one fewer game. He had 74 total tackles last season, never once hitting double-digits. He did pick off two passes and record two sacks (the latter a career-high), but he makes his fantasy living on tackles and he’ll have to get back to the triple-digit mark to make himself relevant in most IDP leagues. Unfortunately, the Broncos’ linebackers are very solid tacklers, leaving little room for Ward to step in and grab some for himself.

Ward saved his best season for the last year of his rookie contract in Cleveland, staying healthy for the first time in three years and piling up 112 tackles (75 solo), 1.5 sacks and two interceptions, scoring one touchdown off an interception and scoring another on a fumble recovery. Cleveland was unable or unwilling to re-sign Ward in free agency, allowing him to bolt for the Broncos, where he will step in as starter alongside Rahim Moore. With two seasons of triple-digit tackles in his four-year career, there's reason to believe Ward can make it to 100 tackles again this year. Denver played the 10th-most snaps last year on defense last year (1,074), and Ward should see plenty of tackle opportunities since opponents will need to throw often if they hope to keep up with Peyton Manning. The only worry with Ward is his durability – he missed eight games in 2011 and two in 2012.

Ward was a hit as a rookie in 2010, finishing with 105 tackles and two interceptions, but he has just 106 tackles since then, largely due to missing 10 games between 2011 and 2012. While he'll always be an injury worry, Ward should be in position to make more plays than in the past because the Browns should have a good pass rush with Barkevious Mingo, Jabaal Sheard, Paul Kruger, Ahtyba Rubin, Desmond Bryant and Phil Taylor in the front seven.

Ward was one of the most disappointing IDPs last year, though his decline was mostly due a season-derailing foot injury rather than poor play. He was a big deal in his 2010 rookie season, finishing with 123 tackles (95 solo) and two interceptions, but he totaled just 39 stops (28 solo) and no interceptions in eight games in 2011. He should be considered a decent DB pick heading into 2012 given that he had the offseason and the final eight weeks of last year to recover. But he had injury issues in college and tends to play more recklessly than a player with his build probably should – he plays like a strong safety but looks more like a cornerback at 5-10, 200, so he opens himself up to a fair amount of punishment.

Many wrote off Ward as a reach when the Browns took him 38th overall a year ago, but his play quickly cast doubt on such sentiments. He finished his rookie year as a 16-game starter, accumulating 123 tackles (95 solo), 10 passes defended, two interceptions and a forced fumble. Although he turns and runs in coverage better than some cornerbacks, Ward’s highly aggressive and somewhat reckless style of play is in the mold of an enforcer rather than a center fielder. Despite his free safety positional technicality, Ward is clearly the sort who would rather deal a big hit than sit back in a deep zone. Unfortunately, that sort of mentality could ultimately make him an injury risk. In the meantime, expect Ward to make another run at the triple-digit tackle mark.

The 38th overall selection in the 2010 draft, Ward might be the best IDP option among this year’s crop of rookie DBs. He’s considered to be an excellent hitter but has cornerback speed. And he landed with Cleveland — a team that’s perilously thin in the backfield. It’s not hard to imagine Eric Mangini using Ward both in coverage and run support and on the blitz, much as he used Kerry Rhodes with the Jets.

More Fantasy News

Joins practice squad

SFree Agent

October 2, 2020

The Cardinals signed Ward to the practice squad Thursday.

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Works out for Jacksonville

SFree Agent

August 24, 2019

Ward worked out for the Jaguars on Saturday as the 32-year-old intends to make his return to the NFL in 2019, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

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October charges dropped

SFree Agent

June 10, 2018

The charges for Ward's October arrest for possession of cannabis and drug paraphernalia have been dropped, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

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Looking to extend playing career

SFree Agent

March 18, 2018

Ward (knee) wants to continue his playing career in 2018, Benjamin Allbright of 104.7 FM Denver reports.

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Arrested Wednesday

STampa Bay Buccaneers

Knee

January 3, 2018

Ward (knee) was arrested Wednesday morning in Tampa on a felony count of marijuana possession and a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

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Latest Fantasy Rumors

Eyeing NFL comeback

SFree Agent

October 1, 2020

Ward signed with the Cardinals' practice squad Thursday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

ANALYSIS
The 33-year-old hasn't appeared in an NFL game since playing for the Buccaneers in 2017, but Arizona finds itself in a pinch at safety because of Jalen Thompson being on injured reserve with an ankle injury, and Budda Baker remaining doubtful for Week 4 with a UCL tear in his thumb. Ward provides the Cardinals with an emergency option on the practice squad heading into a Sunday afternoon matchup against Teddy Bridgewater and the Panthers.

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