The 49ers head into the 2023 offseason with 25 players (21 unrestricted, four restricted) entering free agency. Throughout the offseason, we’ll highlight each player and their case.
Jimmie Ward, FS/NCB, 31
Jimmie Ward was drafted with the 30th pick in the 2014 NFL draft by Trent Baalke and the 49ers. Read that again. Ward and Arik Armstead are the final holdovers from the Baalke era. Funny enough, Ward started his 49ers career the same way he could end it, playing slot cornerback.
The difference is the talent surrounding Ward and the defensive coordinators putting his players in positions to succeed.