San Francisco 49ers: 5 players likely to get cut before Week 1

No. 2: Cornerback Jimmie Ward

And another Trent Baalke pick bites the dust.

2014 first-round pick Jimmie Ward actually played decent for the 49ers as a cornerback between 2015 and 2016, but would always get injured. He’s landed on injured reserve in three of his first four years at the pro level.

Now Ward is back to full health and fresh off getting his fifth-year option getting picked up by the team. And he’s been getting burnt, no — toasted, by every receiver lining up against him on the field.

It would not be particularly financially wise to cut Ward, as the team would lose $8 million, but I would rather spend a roster spot on a young and promising cornerback like Tarvarus McFadden than Ward, who is lacking confidence and good coverage skills.

Ward is looking like this year’s version of Donate Johnson (nothing personal, as Johnson is actually a great guy), and nobody wants that after what happened last year.