As Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo often points out, life isn’t easy for an NFL defensive back. Receivers always have the advantage — and cornerbacks don’t have to give up very many plays before some fans think they’re bums.
It’s especially difficult when you entered the league as an undrafted free agent — like the Chiefs’ Charvarius Ward did when he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys following the 2018 NFL Draft. Traded to the Chiefs right before final cutdown day, Ward was used infrequently during his rookie season. But beginning in 2019, he became a full-time starter — and has more than held his own.