49ers Sign Top Draft Pick Ward To 4-Year Deal

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) The San Francisco 49ers have signed first-round draft pick safety

Jimmie Ward and third-round selection Chris Borland to four-year contracts.

Ward was selected 30th overall this month out of Northern Illinois. The team announced the deals Thursday ahead of their rookie minicamp starting Friday.

The 5-foot-10, 193-pound Ward started all 14 games at strong safety last season, leading the Huskies with 95 tackles - 62 solo - with a 10-yard sack and 10 pass deflections. While starting 39 of 55 games for his career, 12 of those came at left cornerback.

Borland was the second of three third-round picks at 77th overall. He ended his Wisconsin career as the school's sixth-leading tackler with 410. The linebacker had 15 forced fumbles, nine fumble recoveries, a blocked punt and 17 sacks.

Updated May 22, 2014

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