The Indianapolis Colts signed Charvarius Ward to a three-year, $60 million contract. He could wind up making a huge impact in Indy. He might even emerge as the team’s best outside cornerback since Vontae Davis in the early-to-mid 2010s.
Ward went undrafted in 2018. With that said, he wasn’t expected to have a successful NFL career. However, the Mississippi native has proved the doubters wrong. He helped Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs win Super Bowl LIV. Later as a member of the San Francisco 49ers, Ward put together a stellar season in 2023. That year, he recorded 72 combined tackles, a league-leading 23 pass deflections, and a team-leading five interceptions. Ward earned second-team All-Pro honors and was selected to his first Pro Bowl. He also helped the 49ers reach Super Bowl LVIII, where they lost to the Chiefs 25-22.
The Colts’ secondary has been far from great over the years. Perhaps Ward can instantly bring back memories of Vontae Davis.
Will a Newcomer Become the Colts’ Top Outside CB since Vontae Davis?
Career in Indy
A first-round pick in 2009, Vontae Davis spent his first three seasons with the Miami Dolphins. In 2012, he was traded to the Colts in exchange for a second-round pick and a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2013 draft.
Davis played six seasons as a Colt. From 2012 to 2014, he helped the team make the playoffs for three consecutive years.
During the 2014 season, Davis made his first Pro Bowl after recording 42 combined tackles, a career-high 18 pass deflections, and four interceptions. He also led the league with the lowest opposing passer rating (38.8). In addition, he posted eight combined tackles and a career-high five pass deflections in the Colts’ playoff victory over the Denver Broncos.
Davis ended the 2015 campaign with 48 combined tackles, 16 pass deflections, and four interceptions. He was again selected to the Pro Bowl, replacing the Broncos’ Chris Harris Jr., who played in the Super Bowl that year.
Davis later finished his career with the Buffalo Bills, retiring in 2018. Sadly, he passed away in April 2024 at the age of 35.
Charvarius Ward Could Return to All-Pro Form
Charvarius Ward had a down year last season in San Francisco. Yet, he’s not far removed from his breakout 2023 campaign. Pro Football Focus wrote about this:
“Although Ward earned a career-low 58.2 PFF coverage grade in 2024, he isn’t far removed from his time charting in the top 15 at the position in 2022 and 2023. Ward profiles well in new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s zone scheme and should boost this coverage unit while playing alongside Kenny Moore and new signing Camryn Bynum.”
The Colts, of course, are hoping Ward will return to All-Pro form. He’s expected to cover the opposing team’s top wide receiver every Sunday and might turn out to be a lockdown corner for the Colts right off the bat. With Ward teaming with fellow newcomer Camryn Bynum and holdovers Kenny Moore II and Nick Cross, Indy might possess an elite secondary in 2025.
The Colts’ secondary struggled mightily in 2024. We’ll see if Ward can help get the unit back on track and become the best outside corner since Vontae Davis was in town.