Minnesota Vikings select Jay Ward in fourth round of 2023 NFL Draft

A Swiss army knife player in the secondary that can do it all is hard to find, but the Minnesota Vikings just found one, as they’ve selected LSU defensive back Jay Ward with the No. 134 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Ward was a three-star prospect out of high school, attending Colquitt County high school in Moultrie, Georgia. He was ranked the No. 521 overall player and the No. 47 cornerback in the nation from the 2019 recruiting cycle according to On3’s Industry Rankings.

Ward made the most of his opportunities at LSU as a freshman, contributing on special teams and recording two pass breakups in LSU’s College Football Playoff semifinals win over Oklahoma on their way to a national title.

He’d go on to make 23 starts in his career for the Tigers, recording 164 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 17 pass breakups, and 6 interceptions. Ward showed off his versatility as well on numerous occasions at LSU, making starts at the cornerback, safety, nickel, and dime positions in his last two seasons.

He’s a high-IQ ballhawk who can not only learn and process multiple positions and be successful at them, but brings special teams value to the table as well. He not only was a special teams contributor as a freshman, but has blocked two field goals in his career as well.

Ward was an NFL Combine and Senior Bowl Participant participant this year, impressing and turning heads at both.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Jay Ward

Jay Ward brings a unique level of versatility from the secondary that he put on display in college football’s most competitive conference. He has many of the sought-after tools that NFL scouts want in their defensive backfield, which NFL.com draft analyst Lance Lierlein detailed in his breakdown of Ward.

“Versatile defensive back with a fearless playing mentality. Ward has good size and length for a nickel cornerback, but he lacks a little thickness as a safety who likes to hit. He can be counted on to do his job in run support from the slot and has adequate coverage talent from off-man and zone,” Zierlein said. “He will make plays when he’s in position to do so but doesn’t have the route anticipation needed for strong on-ball production just yet. Ward takes good angles to the football in coverage and run support as a safety. His versatility improves his chances of becoming an NFL starter in the future.”