San Francisco 49ers sign Jimmie Ward
For the second consecutive year, the San Francisco 49ers took a defensive back in the NFL Draft.
In 2013, the team moved up to draft former LSU Tigers’ safety Eric Reid with the 18th overall pick. Earlier this month, they used the 30th-overall pick in the 2014 draft to select former North Illinois Huskies’ defensive back Jimmie Ward.
More from NFL
- NFL rumors: Dalvin Cook suitor maintaining very ‘real’ interest
- Packers training camp news: Jordan Love struggles, Bakhtiari schedule, position switch
- 3 Cowboys who won’t be on the roster after training camp
- Packers: Aaron Rodgers reached out to Jordan Love this offseason
- Damar Hamlin is a ‘full go’ at Bills training camp
Like other 49ers’ rookies, Ward used a quill pen to ink his name on his contract.
#49ers sign first-round draft pick @ward_jimmie to four-year deal. He used #QuillPen.
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) May 22, 2014
READ: http://t.co/vCF4pZqFo9 pic.twitter.com/IUaOmZosYA
Third-round pick Chris Borland, a former Wisconsin Badgers’ linebacker, also used a quill pen to sign his deal on Thursday.
#49ers sign third-round draft pick LB Chris Borland to four-year deal. #QuillPen
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) May 22, 2014
READ: http://t.co/hlemtDKW0Q pic.twitter.com/Bv0WFjafx5
Ward started at safety for the Huskies last year. He started all 14 games, making 95 tackles, 2.5 for loss, seven interceptions and one sack.. In his career, he made 320 tackles, 11 interceptions and two sacks. Ward doesn’t have ideal size (5’11, 193 pounds) but the 49ers are very high on him and are looking for him to make an immediate impact.
The 6’0, 248-pound Borland 420 tackles, 50.0 for loss, 17.0 sacks and three interceptions in his college career.