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3 players still in playoffs Cleveland Browns should target in free agency

By Justice Sunderland

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 08: Jimmie Ward #20 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates defensive stop against the New Orleans Saints in the game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on December 08, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 08: Jimmie Ward #20 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates defensive stop against the New Orleans Saints in the game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on December 08, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 24: Jimmie Ward #20 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after making a defensive play in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 24: Jimmie Ward #20 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after making a defensive play in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Jimmie Ward, San Francisco 49ers Free Safety

Jimmie Ward is in his fifth season and is at the end of his rookie contract so that means he will be looking for his second NFL contract this offseason.

Ward has something that’s extremely valuable among secondary players: versatility. He has started at almost every position in the secondary, with his best position probably being at free safety.

Ward missed the first three games of the season with a hand injury, but he has played a majority of the snaps since returning and has had a big impact on the league’s best pass defense. He had 60 total tackles and eight passes defensed, tied for third-most on the 49ers.

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The Browns desperately need help at safety. They signed Morgan Burnett last offseason, but he ended up on injured reserve. Damarious Randall was an absolute disaster this season on and off the field.

That left Cleveland’s safeties in shambles by the end of the season. Juston Burris showed that he is worth a roster spot, but is not a long-term answer. Rookie Sheldrick Redwine showed promise, but he is a project at best.

Adding Ward could enable the Browns to play more man coverage, which they didn’t do a lot of this season despite having two cornerbacks who excel in man coverage. The Browns may have been hesitant to call it because there was nobody to cover any mistakes over the top.

Ward can fix a lot of that if he can stay healthy. He has only played all 16 games once in his career so far. He isn’t worth money you would pay to a top safety, but he is probably one step behind it.

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