NFL trade deadline: 5 players the 49ers should try moving in 2018

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SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 22: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys is pushed out of bounds by Jimmie Ward #25 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 22, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Defensive Back Jimmie Ward

We’ll start off with a player least likely to be moved by the NFL trade deadline, fifth-year defensive back Jimmie Ward.

San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Speaking of that fifth year, Ward is playing on his fully guaranteed fifth-year option, and teams rarely offer up precious NFL Draft picks for “rental” players. That’s essentially what Ward would be for the rest of 2018 until he hits the free-agent market.

Ward hasn’t exactly played up to his Round 1 draft status either, and a serious of lingering injuries (he’s landed on season-ending injured reserve in three of his first four seasons at the pro level) drop his stock value considerably.

But there is still some value there. For starters, Ward has the versatility to play both boundary and nickel cornerback positions, while also doubling as a safety.

For a playoff-caliber team needing to address at least depth or find one more decent starter in its defensive backfield, Ward would make some sense. The compensation in return for San Francisco likely wouldn’t be much. A fifth-round pick would be generous.

Remember, though. John Lynch has turned fifth-round picks into gold before. Look no further than tight end George Kittle.