These 49ers have impressed us most over first 4 weeks of 2022

49ers Standout No. 4: Cornerback Charvarius Ward

It’s an All-Defense list today, but truthfully, it is the defense that deserves the accolades for the first month. Without them, the Niners would not be top of the NFC West.

Unlike some of the others on this list, cornerback Charvarius Ward did not burst from obscurity to stand up and impress. Instead, Ward is the opposite, the big-money signing San Francisco brought in to shore up a weakened secondary.

So far, he’s been just as good as the 49ers could have hoped for, leading by example and being a shutdown corner for an elite defense.

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Ward has been primarily responsible for turning what has long been a frustrating positional group at cornerback into a key strength. Quarterbacks have been frustrated trying to throw at him, shutting down one side of the field.

For all the defensive prowess of Niners teams of the last few years, they’ve been unable to find a constant presence to frustrate quarterbacks as Ward has.

And to think, San Francisco hasn’t had its other shutdown corner in Jason Verrett available to partner with him as well.

Some big free agency signings turn out to be complete busts, but Ward is turning out to be worth every penny.