Overpaying in free agency is inevitable when chasing the big name or paying for past production. The goal should be to identify an ascending player who has yet to peak. The San Francisco 49ers did that two years ago when they inked Charvarius Ward to a 3-year, $40.5 million contract.
Ward was coming off a season where he missed time but had the athletic profile and heigh-weight-speed combination you look for at cornerback. Ward has increased his pass breakups in each season and, this past year, looked every bit of the All-Pro he was.