Kelly was asked why Ward was not moved to safety following the season-ending injury to FS Eric Reid, a move that might seem natural to some given Ward's college experience. "We think Jimmie's our best corner," Kelly said. "I think that matchup, that he's our best corner and our best nickel. The ability to cover man to man in this league is first and foremost so if you ask anybody, 'What do you want when you're looking at the secondary?' Everybody wants a corner before they want a safety. We thought that's Jimmie's best position. We could move him to safety but we think we'd be really short changed out of the corner spot."
Has Ward actually passed Tramaine Brock, who went into the offseason as the team's top cornerback, as the best at the position for the 49ers? "I just think because of his versatility," Kelly said. "Don't diminish anything that Brock's done. I think Jimmie is the one guy that plays all over the place. So he plays in the slot. He can play nickel. He blitzes from that position. Can match up with the top receivers on the outside. He's a rare combination. Sometimes when you look at the secondary, you have guys that are just outside corners and guys that are just slot corners. The guy that can play both, that versatility I think is what puts him at the top for us."
On Tuesday, defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil also stated that Ward was the team's best cornerback. "I think Jimmie Ward's a corner in our system," said O'Neil when asked about him.
Ward is currently in the league mandated concussion protocol after suffering the head injury against the New England Patriots on Sunday. His availability against the Miami Dolphins is not yet known.
Advanced statistics site Pro Football Focus has Ward ranked as the second-best defensive back on the team, behind Brock. Ward ranks as the 39th best cornerback in the league while Brock comes in at 17.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers expected to target Super Bowl-winning cornerback in free agency
Speculation surrounding the San Francisco 49ers' secondary intensified at the NFL Scouting Combine after Dan Graziano and Ben Solak of ESPN reported that the team could explore a trade involving starting cornerback Renardo Green. Graziano estimated there is an 80% chance the... -
PFF names 49ers' best-case scenario in Round 1 of 2026 NFL Draft
With the NFL Scouting Combine in the books, mock drafts continue to shape narratives ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. The San Francisco 49ers, who have multiple offseason needs, are already being linked to several first-round possibilities. John Kosko of Pro Football Focus (PFF)... -
Report: 49ers in play for Maxx Crosby; Mac Jones trade market cools
The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine has concluded, but speculation surrounding Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby continues to build. According to Matt Barrows and Vic Tafur of The Athletic, the San Francisco 49ers are among several teams monitoring the veteran pass rusher's... -
49ers draft needs breakdown: Ranking San Francisco's biggest 2026 priorities
My family knows that once the season ends, I start looking toward the NFL draft. Correction: If the San Francisco 49ers are in the playoff hunt and beyond, I think of the season first, but even in October, I am also thinking about the draft. I am not a former player or draft...