Niners general manager John Lynch was direct today when asked about Jimmie Ward’s position in 2017.
His response: The 49ers will try the cornerback at free safety in their new 4-3 defense this offseason to see if it’s a good fit.
Ward, a safety at Northern Illinois, has played both nickel cornerback and on the outside throughout his three-year NFL career. He did start at safety in the 2014 regular-season finale.
“Just being completely honest, we think he’s a good scheme fit for what we’re doing at the free-safety position,” said Lynch, a former NFL safety.