Ranking 49ers 10 most important players entering 2022
By Timmy Gibson
No. 7: 49ers Cornerback Charvarius Ward
Charvarius Ward was by far the 49ers’ splashiest free agency move this offseason, so it should be no surprise that he is on this list. The fact the Niners signed him to a three-year, $42 million deal with $27 million guaranteed states his importance, but we will elaborate.
Perhaps no position on San Francisco’s roster was more depleted last season than cornerback. The team struggled with injury after injury until reaching a point where the only thing worth watching in the cornerback room was whether or not the over-under on Josh Norman’s pass-interference penalties would hit. Although Ambry Thomas flashed near the end of the season, it was clear the 49ers needed to bring in a truly elite NFL corner, and the team believes they have done that by signing Ward.
Ward is a true cover corner, something the Niners have lacked in recent seasons. If the Niners could do what they did last season on defense with the depleted cornerback room they had, the sky is the limit for what this defense can be if the team’s corners can play at a higher level, and Ward will be a core part of that going forward.
Because of that, Ward is easily one of the most important players on the team.