Jimmie Ward

With Jaquiski Tartt currently unsigned, Ward will become the veteran leader of the 49ers secondary at 31 years of age. The hybrid defensive back primarily stuck in the free safety role last season, setting new career highs in tackles (77) and interceptions (two). With slot extraordinaire K'Waun Williams no longer in town, Ward could see more snaps at the nickel in heavy-box formations. No matter the position he plays, Ward provides a unique mix of contributions across the board to generate some IDP interest.

The veteran safety turned in one of his healthiest campaigns, suiting up for 14 contests and finishing with a career-high 73 tackles. As a coverage safety in a zone-heavy scheme - which is likely to be featured again under new defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans - Ward isn't going to post gaudy tackle totals or record many auxiliary stats - he has just two interceptions and three sacks in seven years as a pro - limiting his ceiling in IDP formats.

The oft-injured Ward got his annual stint on the sidelines out of the way early in 2019, missing the first three contests before returning and posting a career-high 65 tackles (51 solo) to go along with eight passes defended over the final 13 games of the regular season. Previously a cornerback, he's considered one of the best coverage safeties in the league when he's able to stay on the field, and the 49ers are hoping he can repeat his relatively healthy 2019 over the next three years of his new contract.

Ward's story remains the same throughout his young career; an undoubted talent who can play both corner and free safety, but has trouble staying on the field. The 26-year-old has completed a full 16-game season just once through his first five seasons in the NFL. Still, the 49ers will begin another season with Ward slated to serve a prominent role on defense. He will begin the season as the team's starting free safety, but his coverage style of play will lead to lower tackle totals (just 24 tackles over nine games in 2018) than fellow starting safety Jaquiski Tartt.

Ward has become known for his inability to stay on the field, fully completing just one of his four seasons in San Francisco. While his health has hurt his career early on, the 49ers' inability to stick to a plan with the 26-year-old has probably stunted his development as well. Drafted as a safety out of college, Ward was quickly shifted to a cornerback, then moved to the nickel, then back to free safety last season, and now the 49ers have said they are considering giving him reps at corner again. The team restocked its defensive back depth through the draft and free agency this offseason, but Ward figures to have a starting job somewhere in this secondary.

A first-round pick out of Northern Illinois, Ward is a former beloved prospect whose high expectations haven't been met early in his career, though position changes and injury can perhaps be blamed to a considerable extent. Ward played quite a bit of cornerback to this point in his four-year career, limiting his career high in tackles to 57. But Ward is expected to focus on free safety this year, a position he proved dominant at in college. Playing free safety might limit Ward's tackle upside somewhat, but this is a player who intercepted 10 passes in his last two years of college.

Yet another 49ers defender who stands to benefit from the Chip Kelly bump, Ward is a former first-round pick at safety who has yet to stand out in the NFL, but probably has the tools to finally do it in 2016. He'll likely start at corner for San Francisco while moving into the slot in nickel formations, which will give him the chance to defend the run more often than a purely outside corner. Still, Ward is a boom-or-bust IDP consideration due to the speculative nature of his exact role.

Ward was in-and-out of the lineup in 2014, missing eight games due to quad and foot issues. Despite being drafted as a safety, the 49ers used Ward as their nickelback against three-and-four receiver sets. His size (5-foot-10, 193 pounds) was one of the main reasons San Francisco used him at corner rather than safety, and he will likely resume that role in 2015.

Ward was the 49ers' first round pick in 2014, and he figures to line up in three-safety sets and also as a nickel cornerback. While he is undersized (5-10), Ward provides excellent agility and closing speed. He is still recovering from foot surgery this off-season, but he should be ready by the time training camp begins.