The San Francisco 49ers used their No. 30 overall pick in the 2014 draft on defensive back Jimmie Ward. Joining a talented defense, the 49ers envisioned Ward sliding into that nickel cornerback role and a solid showing against the Baltimore Ravens in the preseason showed he was capable of fulfilling that role.
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“I thought he was doing what we saw in practice,” 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said, via CSN Bay Area.. “He is aggressive, and he was flying around. I think he’s in good shape.”
His main competition for that role in the 49ers’ defense is Carlos Rogers, but it doesn’t look like Rogers is going to get the job if Ward keeps up his level of play.
All in all, Ward played 32 snaps in the secondary including as the nickel corner and safety. Those first NFL game jitters are behind him now and Ward can look forward to focusing on the game plan in future games.
“Yeah, it’ll make it way easier,” Ward said. “Coming against a good team like the Ravens, I think that really helped me out going against a really good slot. Hopefully it shows in the next game.”