Can 49ers CB Charvarius Ward be One of the Best at his Position in 2023?

Playing under new defensive coordinator Steve Wilks could be the factor that lifts the ceiling on Charvarius Ward in 2023.

2023 has the potential to be the best season for the defensive backs of the 49ers.

It isn't because they are loaded with talent there. Last year was arguably their best had injuries not played a role. But what makes this upcoming season have a high ceiling for the secondary is the addition of defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. His background with being a defensive backs "whisperer" could be what gets the 49ers' secondary to be phenomenal. 

They'll only be as good as their best player and their best defensive back is Charvarius Ward. He is the player who has to set the bar and be that cornerback that gives little to no ground to his receiver. Many of the throws made against Ward registered as a "tight window" throw, so he is sticky in coverage for the most part. That ability is likely why Wilks believes Ward can be one of the top cornerbacks this year. 

"I think he has, just as a person, tremendous character," said Wilks. "I just like how he takes care of his business on and off the field. I watched a lot of tape on him, before I got here, and then since I've been here, so he has the skillset to be one of the top in the league. And he and I talked about that, so it's all about him just being locked in and focused this year and having consistency.”

Is Wilks onto something? Can Ward be one of the best at his position in 2023? 

If there was any season for Ward to be a top five or 10 cornerback, it is this one. Wilks has a tendency to let his cornerbacks play bump-and-run and will call man-to-man coverage. That is the defensive style that Ward thrives in. He likes to get aggressive and stall out his receiver at the beginning of his route to throw off the timing. And with the vaunted pass rush that the 49ers have, he can very well put himself in a position to get more picks in these situations.

The worry with Ward not achieving being a top cornerback is his speed and ability to stick with his man when he is beat off the line of scrimmage. Jamming receivers is a dangerous game that comes with a massive risk. D.K. Metcalf exposed that side of Ward a bit in the Wild Card playoff game that he does not defend well against receivers who excel vertically. It also happened against the Cowboys in the Divisional playoff game as well, so Ward was falling off a bit around the end of the season.

I think this is what will keep Ward from being an elite cornerback. He's a really good one who's skills will be amplified under Wilks, or at least he should be. Any defense would take him in a heartbeat for the most part, but he has shown that when a receiver can get to and attack his hip that he can be had in coverage for a big play. My verdict is he will not be a top player at his position. He'll more or less be what he was last season and that is totally fine. The 49ers should be well rounded in their secondary without Ward being a top player at the position.