New Team Same Coach: How will CB Jimmie Ward Assimilate to DeMeco Ryans' Texans?

Coach DeMeco Ryans was Ward's defensive coordinator in San Francisco

After two stellar years as the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator, DeMeco Ryans became the hottest name in the head coach hunting market. Now, he is leading the Houston Texans.

Ryans pulled the strings behind the 49ers' No. 1 scoring defense in the league, allowing an average of 16.3 points per game. All-Pros edge rusher Nick Bosa, linebacker Fred Warner and safety Talanoa Hufanga are some of the first players he could thank for his success, but safety Jimmie Ward was an under-the-radar positive piece.

Ward suffered a grade two thigh hamstring strain a month before the 2022-23 season began and he was admitted to the IR until Week 5 of the regular season. However, he fractured his hand on one of his first snaps in his season debut, sidelining him for the rest of the game and Week 6 as well.

Ward was healthy for Week 7 and played 74 percent of defensive snaps the rest of the season. The 2014 30th overall pick recorded 50 tackles, five pass breakups, and three interceptions in 12 games. Ward proved to be a factor in the 49ers' success as they went 11-1 with him in the lineup (including Week 5) and 2-3 without him.

The 31-year-old signed a two-year deal with the Texans this off-season, and his former defensive coordinator/new coach couldn't have been happier.

"To be able to get a guy like Jimmie Ward is very vital for our defense," Ryans said. "Jimmie is a guy, I feel can play safety in our scheme. He's played nickel. Jimmie is a veteran guy who's played a lot of football. Jimmie is still playing football at a high level. So, to add a safety who can make dynamic plays for us was very vital."

The Texans drafted two of the best defensive backs in the 2022 class in free safety Jalen Pitre and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. Ward's veteran leadership on the 49ers last season helped Hufanga and cornerback Charvarius Ward breakout and become stars. Ryans expects him to do the same for Pitre and Stingley.

"Jimmie is a veteran guy who's played a lot of football," Ryans said. "With the younger guys that we have, we have a very young group, a young nucleus of players who are talented. I feel like Jimmie can come in and just help those guys, aside from the football aspect but also just off the field, just how to be a true pro".

PFF expects Ward to play well this season as they ranked him 14th among safeties. They also ranked him 27th among all NFL players over 30 years old.

Ward proved to be a massive impact both on and off the field for the 49ers last season, even though he wasn't a star player. If he can accumulate similar stats to his 12-game season while mentoring the young DBs, the Texans may have a bright future ahead of them.

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