49ers’ Richard Sherman calls Jimmie Ward one of the best safeties in football

Jimmie Ward literally had one of the best games of his career on Sunday, helping the San Francisco 49ers earn a 23-20 victory over the once-division-leading Los Angeles Rams. The safety earned his highest-ever overall grade (94.7) from Pro Football Focus, was the highest-graded player from the game, was the second highest-graded defender of Week 12, and was named to Pro Football Focus' Team of the Week.

Ward finished the game with five tackles, a pass defensed, and two forced fumbles. The safety stripped Rams running back Malcolm Brown in the first half and forced quarterback Jared Goff to cough up the football following a hit. According to Pro Football Focus, Ward allowed just three receptions for 16 yards and a passer rating of 45.8 on Goff's 16 targets.


Richard Sherman has always been one of Ward's biggest cheerleaders, often declaring that his teammate is one of the more undervalued defenders in football. Sherman praised Ward again this week during the Cris Collinsworth Podcast, which the veteran cornerback co-hosts.

"Jimmie Ward, playing outside of his mind," Sherman said of his teammate's performance against the Rams. "He's honestly one of the best safeties in football, who never gets enough credit."

Ward showed off his versatility on Sunday, playing in the box, at free safety, and even lining up in the slot. He seemed to do it all against the Rams.

"In our scheme, he has to do everything," Sherman continued. "He'll guard their No. 1 receiver, then guard their tight end, then blitz, then have to open-field tackle. And usually, he's the best at all of them. He caused two forced fumbles yesterday and has been incredibly consistent."

The 49ers selected Ward out of Northern Illinois with the No. 30 overall draft pick in 2014. He has racked up 51 tackles, four passes defensed, and two forced fumbles through 10 games this season.

You can listen to the entire conversation between Sherman and Cris Collinsworth below.