Colts new lockdown corner Charvarius Ward will shadow opposing team’s best wideout

The Colts have a new lockdown cornerback in town, who will help take away the opposing team’s best wideout.

According to the man himself, new Indianapolis Colts cornerback Charvarius Ward, who freshly inked a 3-year, $60M million deal, will shadow the opposing team’s best wideout at times next year, per his defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo (via ESPN’s Stephen Holder):

Ward reportedly traveled with oppposing NFL WR1s during his first two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, but not last year.

Still processing a personal family tragedy in 2024, with the recent death of his infant daughter, Ward understandably endured a tough year for his normally high standards in coverage, but the Colts and him are both hoping he can regain his prior 2023 NFL All-Pro form on the football field—with a much needed change of scenery in Indianapolis:

Of course, with the additions of free agent safety Cam Bynum, as well as holdovers such as former Pro Bowl slot Kenny More II, the Colts have the secondary talent to let him ‘travel’:

For Colts fans, Ward will be a welcome addition as a true CB1, which Indianapolis hasn’t had since veteran Stephon Gilmore was traded before the 2023 season—although I would argue that it hasn’t had an actual NFL All-Pro corner in his prime since the late great Vontae Davis.

Ward’s much anticipated arrival should make the whole Indy secondary better because the rest of the outside corners get bumped a peg down, while the pass rush gets more time.