CB Charvarius Ward
If you include the postseason, no cornerback on either Super Bowl team has been targeted more than Ward, the second-year man from Middle Tennessee State who was not only undrafted, but didn’t receive an invitation to the 2018 scouting combine. Signed as a free agent by the Cowboys in 2018 and traded to the Chiefs in August of that year in a transaction that barely made a blip on the radar, Ward has become an integral part of Kansas City’s improving defense. This season, he’s faced 97 targets, allowing just 47 receptions for 770 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions, and an opponent passer rating of 73.8 that leads all Kansas City cornerbacks.
Not many defenders can go straight post-up on Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins and come away unscathed, but that’s exactly what Ward did in this Week 6 interceptions. Hopkins has an unreal ability to separate from the tightest coverage, but here, Ward stays in Hopkins’ hip pocket all the way.
“It’s the chip on his shoulder,” Ragland said when asked what makes Ward so effective. “Being passed over, that’d make anybody work. Then, he had his opportunity, and ever since that happened last year, he’s been a heck of a player. He’s got long arms, he can run, he’s good in coverage — all that. He’s making the best of his opportunities, and I’m happy for him.”
Chiefs: Daniel Sorensen | Sammy Watkins | Charvarius Ward
49ers: Deebo Samuel | Fred Warner | Mike Person