How early is "early"?
Ward was always a day 2 guy, and he's been steadily moving up. Good Senior Bowl. Mayock called him end of the 2nd round and suggested that he could be a "fast riser". His size is a limitation, but he's got good tape. I think top 50 is highly probably, top 40 likely. Anyone in that range has a shot at the 1st round, though I personally think that's a tad rich for Ward. But certainly a possibility.
I think a 4.47 (unofficial) 40 is about par for the course for Ward (I had guessed he would be around 4.5, and his official time could be slightly over 4.5 when adjusted). We know he's a good coverage safety, and that's really his calling card. Anything above 4.6 would have been disappointing. It's not like he blew the 40 out the water (Earl Thomas ran around a 4.38, IIRC).
I'd compare Ward to Louis Delmas from Western Michigan, who went #33 overall in the 2009 draft (a much weaker draft, FWIW). Small school kid, slightly smallest frame, good coverage ability, physical for his size. Delmas was a bit bigger (5' 11 3/8" 202#) and had good numbers (4.52 40, 1.50 10-split, 6.6 3C, 37" VJ, 10'6" BJ).
If I had to guess right now - and it's just a pure guess, this far out from the draft - Ward will end up going early day 2. But he could certainly move up or down from there.
