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Jay Ward’s Rise to NFL Spotlight | Duluth News
Jay Ward, a Vikings rookie drafted in 2023, is quietly turning heads with a late-season surge on defense that could unlock his biggest NFL opportunity yet. After two seasons mostly on special teams — where he racked up over 600 snaps — Ward logged 19 tackles and played over half the defensive snaps in the final five games, earning a solid grade. Now, with Harrison Smith’s future uncertain, Ward is poised to compete for a starting safety role alongside Theo Jackson and rookie Jakobe Thomas. His familiarity with the defensive coordinator’s system could give him an edge, and if he keeps playing…
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