49ers roster: Charvarius Ward can be everything Niners need him to be
By Peter Panacy
Why Charvarius Ward actually regresses with 49ers
Considering some of the struggles the Niners have had at cornerback in recent years, it’s hard to see how Charvarius Ward would be any worse of an option.
That’s definitely a good thing, though, but it’s still fair to wonder if last year’s success will automatically replicate itself over into 2022.
Ward allowed 39 completions on those 76 targets for 511 yards and four touchdowns a year ago, opposing quarterbacks posting a 79.4 passer rating when targeting him. Those are near-elite numbers, and had he picked off a few more passes in the process, it’s likely he would have been in consideration for a Pro Bowl nod.
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There are some points where one can fairly wonder if Ward sees some slight regression in the NFC West. Granted, the AFC West wasn’t exactly a pushover division before this offseason’s stockpiling, but Ward was bullied a bit by bigger wide receivers, particularly the Cincinnati Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase in Week 17.
The 6-foot-1, 196-pound defensive back could theoretically have some issues matching up against the NFC West’s elites, such as the Los Angeles Rams’ Allen Robinson, the Arizona Cardinals’ DeAndre Hopkins or the Seattle Seahawks’ D.K. Metcalf.
Again, though, those receivers will probably make quick work out of most cornerbacks anyway.