There is bound to be heavy roster turnover for the San Francisco 49ers before the 2025 season gets underway.

As they look to rebound from their 6-11 record, the 49ers also have a lot of talent hitting free agency this spring. One of the most intriguing names to watch from that group will be 2023 Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro cornerback Charvarius Ward.

Ward missed five games this season while dealing with family tragedy, and has spoken openly about the potential need for a change of scenery. While the 49ers certainly wish him well, they also won’t want to see him on one of the best teams elsewhere in the NFC.

If one recent free agency prediction comes true, the 49ers won’t get their wish there.

In a recent article projecting one free agent signing for each NFL team, USA Today’s Jacob Camenker paired Ward with the Detroit Lions, who will need some secondary help coming off their disappointing exit in the Divisional Round of the 2024 playoffs.

“Terrion Arnold and Amik Robertson figure to be two of the Lions’ top three cornerbacks in 2025, but they may need to replace Carlton Davis if he doesn’t return in free agency,” Camenker wrote.

“Ward would bring a hard-nosed physicality to the cornerback position that would quickly endear him to Dan Campbell, so this marriage could certainly work.”

The 28-year-old Ward didn’t intercept a pass in 2024, but he had a career-high five picks in 2023 while leading the league with 23 pass breakups. If he rebounds to that form, he’ll be far more than just a rotational option for Campbell’s Lions.

Two years ago, the 49ers nearly lost to the Lions in the NFC Championship Game, pulling off a furious 17-point second-half comeback. If the two sides square off in the playoffs again, San Francisco wouldn’t love seeing Ward on the other sideline.