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San Francisco 49ers: 3 ‘crazy’ trades to make before Week 1 of 2018

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: General Manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sidelines during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: General Manager John Lynch of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sidelines during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 03: Tre Mason #27 of the St. Louis Rams rushes with the ball against Jimmie Ward #25 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on January 3, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 03: Tre Mason #27 of the St. Louis Rams rushes with the ball against Jimmie Ward #25 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on January 3, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Trade No. 1: Defensive Back Jimmie Ward to the Colts

The 49ers have a bit of a conundrum on their hands with fifth-year defensive back Jimmie Ward. On one hand, he’s an extremely versatile player, capable of playing both boundary and nickel cornerback spots as well as doubling as a safety.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Ward, San Francisco’s Round 1 selection from the 2014 NFL Draft, hasn’t fared well this preseason at all, however. And with a history of injury, it was a bit of a shock to see the Niners pick up his fifth-year option, which includes over $8.5 million in fully guaranteed money for 2018.

He’s currently the highest-paid player on the 49ers defense and doesn’t project to have a starting role this season.

The 49ers would be hard-pressed to find a suitor willing to take on Ward’s contract. But the Indianapolis Colts have both a swath of cap space (over $51 million, currently) and glaring needs all over their secondary. In fact, Pro Football Focus ranked Indy’s defensive backfield dead last in their pre-2018 rankings.

San Francisco wouldn’t get much in return. Using Eli Harold’s deal as a bar, though, the Niners could use Ward’s versatility as leverage in upping the return value to a 2019 conditional sixth-round draft pick. If Ward doesn’t land on injured reserve (something he’s done in three of his first four seasons at the pro level), that pick becomes a Round 5 choice.

The Colts get some much-needed help for their secondary, while the Niners free up a roster spot and clear $8-plus million off their 2018 books.

Would you do it, 49ers fans?