The 49ers recognized they needed to improve the secondary this offseason and did so with a big-ticket move that flew somewhat under the radar.
Cornerback Charvarius Ward arrived on the second-largest cornerback deal of free agency. His three-year, $40.5 million deal was topped only by J.C. Jackson – who penned a five-year, $82.5 million contract with the Chargers – but generated comparatively little buzz.
That is not much of a surprise given the disparity in the numbers, but there is statistical evidence to suggest that in inking Ward to a contract worth $13.5 million per year – tied for the 13th-highest average at his position per Over The Cap – the Niners may have pulled off one of the most astute signings of the offseason.
