Two hundred and fifty-six players were picked in the 2018 NFL Draft. Charvarius Ward wasn’t one of them.
So when his agent called him recently to let him know that a three-year deal – reportedly worth up to $42 million and $26.7 million guaranteed – had been wrapped up with the 49ers, he didn’t know how to react.
“I was crying,” Ward told Bay Area reporters Thursday. “I was so overwhelmed with emotion. When my agent first told me the deal was done, I just started shaking. I dunno why, but I was just shaking, tears started streaming down my face. All that hard work finally paid off. I came from a long way. Growing up it was rough. Now to be living your dream, to be able to get paid to play football? It’s just a dream come true. It’s not a job it’s something I love to do. … My momma be happy. She be telling everybody about how her baby signed this contract.”
Now Ward, who grew up in a Mississippi town called McComb, can return the favor. He said he’ll be buying his mom a house and saving the rest of his big payday.
Ward figures to be the 49ers’ top cornerback when they open the season in 2022 and will likely lineup with cornerback Emmanuel Moseley. Second-year rising contributor Ambry Thomas is also ready to take on a bigger role in the secondary, though the team has a void at the starting nickelback position with the free agency of veteran K’Waun Williams.
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The 25-year-old Ward – who had two interceptions, 67 tackles and 10 pass deflections in 13 games last season – is listed at 6-foot-1, 196 pounds and said he specializes in press coverage.
“I work on that a lot in the offseason,” Ward said. “I feel like that’s why this coaching staff brought me here.”
Ward said he met 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans Thursday afternoon and he was quickly struck by the 37-year-old’s youthful energy. Ward said he would feel comfortable to play in the slot if asked.
“I got experience doing everything,” Ward said. “I’ve been in the NFL for four years. I’ve covered inside, outside, I’ve blitzed a little bit. Whatever this coaching staff wants me to do, I’m going to promise you I’ll do it to the best of my ability and they won’t be disappointed. Nor will the fans.”
