The missing element Charvarius Ward needs to add to his game
Charvarius Ward's start to life as a 49er has been an unqualified success. The former Chiefs cornerback was San Francisco's premier free agent signing of last offseason and lived up to the billing as he established himself as a true No. 1 corner for San Francisco. An aggressive press-man corner who also displayed great comfort […]
Charvarius Ward's start to life as a 49er has been an unqualified success.
The former Chiefs cornerback was San Francisco's premier free agent signing of last offseason and lived up to the billing as he established himself as a true No. 1 corner for San Francisco.
An aggressive press-man corner who also displayed great comfort playing the two-deep zone coverage schemes San Francisco relies on, Ward was everything the 49ers hoped he would be when they signed him to a three-year, $40.5 million contract. Yet there is one area where he will clearly want to make strides in 2023.
Ward's ability to shut down opposing receivers was reflected by his success in preventing positive plays. Among the 51 cornerbacks with at least 50 targets, Ward ranked 18th positive play rate allowed. He gave up a play that resulted in positive Expected Points Added on 42 percent of his targets, per Sports Info Solutions.
His success in that regard was in part down to Ward's ability to make plays on the ball. Ward finished with 11 pass breakups last season, however, only once did he haul in an interception, which came on a bizarre failed trick play by the Seahawks in Week 2.
Only three interceptions, including one recorded by the now-departed Emmanuel Moseley, came from the 49ers' starting outside corners. Their lack of production did not impact San Francisco's success in creating turnovers. The Niners ranked tied-second in total turnovers with 30, and 20 of those came via interceptions.
But the 49ers cannot necessarily rely on safeties Tashaun Gipson (five interceptions) and Talanoa Hufanga (four) to continue to take the ball away at the same rate in 2023.
To this point, Ward has met all expectations by helping solidify the secondary and, specifically, a premium position that had long since been a problem area for San Francisco.
If he can add some additional turnover production to his already stellar play to keep San Francisco's takeaway numbers near the top of the league, the 49ers will view their big-ticket free agent signing of two years ago as excellent value for money.
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