Final season, the 49ers led the NFL in pass-interference penalties, had the third-fewest move breakups, allowed the fourth-highest completion proportion and had the fifth-fewest interceptions.
Provided that, it’s not a shock that their first main offseason transfer was to amass a defensive again.
The 49ers addressed a obtrusive want by agreeing to phrases Monday evening with Chiefs cornerback Charvarius Ward, 25, on a three-year contract value as much as $42 million with $26.7 million assured.
Since Ward grew to become a starter in 2019, quarterbacks have accomplished 51.1% of their passes when concentrating on him and posted a 79.7 passer score. Ward had 4 interceptions and 29 move breakups in 56 video games in Kansas Metropolis.
Of observe for the 49ers, whose 21 pass-interference penalties final season have been six greater than another workforce: Ward had simply two pass-interference infractions in 2021.
Ward, 6-foot-1 and 195 kilos, possesses the scale and size the 49ers prize of their cornerbacks. And he’s used his dimension successfully as a keen and bodily tackler. His missed-tackle proportion of 5% is the bottom price amongst prime 75 exterior corners in whole tackles since 2019, in line with Professional Soccer Focus.
That stat and his background paint the image of a gritty participant who cashed in in opposition to vital odds: After enjoying at Center Tennessee State, Ward wasn’t invited to the NFL mix and went undrafted in 2018.
The 49ers hope to keep away from replicating final season once they performed with out a No. 1 cornerback after Jason Verrett suffered a torn ACL in Week 1. This season, the 49ers can’t depend on Verrett, 30, an unrestricted free agent, given an damage historical past that’s restricted him to twenty video games over the previous six seasons.
Verrett’s damage compelled the 49ers to use a Band-Support to the place by signing former All-Professional Josh Norman, 34, a 10-year veteran who was changed by rookie Ambry Thomas after making 14 begins and committing six pass-interference penalties.
Quarterbacks accomplished 66.7% of their passes when concentrating on Norman and had a 110.6 score. For perspective: QBs accomplished 51.3% of their passes when concentrating on Ward final season and had a 79.4 passer score.
Ward will bump one of many 49ers’ season-ending starters at exterior cornerback — Emmanuel Moseley or Thomas — out of their spot in 2022. It’s attainable Moseley will transfer inside to fit cornerback when the 49ers are of their nickel protection, with Thomas changing him on the skin. The addition of Ward suggests the 49ers are much less prone to retain free agent Ok’Waun Williams, 30, their prime nickel nook since 2017.
Eric Department covers the 49ers for The San Francisco Chronicle. Electronic mail: ebranch@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Eric_Branch