Vernon Davis -- Where do you rank him this year (1 Viewer)

[Dolfan]

I, personally, am not as hard on Alex Smith as most on this board seem to be. I saw about what I expected to see out of him in his rookie year last year with a poor surrounding cast. This year, I expect Smith to show a marked improvement.

That said, I am pretty high on Davis. I see him as a top-5 TE. Clearly not as good as Gates, Gonzo, and Shockey, but right there with Witten or any other TE you have in your 2nd group....

Wondering what the rest of the board thought...

 

[-OZ-]

Redraft?

Probably among the Troupe, Cooley, Stevens tier.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

I don't think as a rookie you can expect top 5 as the most likely scenario. Between 10-15 is a more realistic "most likely" scenario for him. I love what I've seen from the kid in college and the combine and I'm going with Davis to be a top 3 TE/Pro Bowler by NFL year 3.

 

[Franknbeans]

I rank him 14th

 

[Da Guru]

Great talent but with Alex Smith as QB I would say he would fall into the 14-18 slot.

 

[Banger]

I rank him 14th

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Agree which means he'll probably be undrafted since no one really takes backup TE's (or at least they shouldn't). He's a guy that I'm definitely going to keep tabs on though.

 

[Trap Play]

Agree which means he'll probably be undrafted...

No offense, but I couldn't disagreee more. TE that go no. 6 overall in the draft don't go undrafted in any TE-required fantasy football leagues I play in. Someone will take him, whether its too early or not is another story, but someone will take him. So, if your hope is for him to go undrafted and then 'keep an eye on him' on the waiver wire, I would suggest a new plan.

 

[Franknbeans]

Agree which means he'll probably be undrafted...

No offense, but I couldn't disagreee more. TE that go no. 6 overall in the draft don't go undrafted in any TE-required fantasy football leagues I play in. Someone will take him, whether its too early or not is another story, but someone will take him. So, if your hope is for him to go undrafted and then 'keep an eye on him' on the waiver wire, I would suggest a new plan.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

your league isn't his league

 

[-OZ-]

Agree which means he'll probably be undrafted...

No offense, but I couldn't disagreee more. TE that go no. 6 overall in the draft don't go undrafted in any TE-required fantasy football leagues I play in. Someone will take him, whether its too early or not is another story, but someone will take him. So, if your hope is for him to go undrafted and then 'keep an eye on him' on the waiver wire, I would suggest a new plan.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

your league isn't his league
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Good info here. I have to agree, in MOST leagues, Davis will certainly be drafted at some point.

 

[Biabreakable]

Talented TEs that play on teams with no real #1 WR tend to get a lot more targets.

Young Qbs tend to dump off to the TE or Rb a lot more because they are not experienced enough to be confident in thier timing checking down to other WRs.

TEs normaly do not do very well as rookies.

All in all I think Davis will catch over 50 passes this year and should be a starting quality TE. The TDs may be hard to get though as this is still a struggling offense.

 

[Banger]

Agree which means he'll probably be undrafted...

No offense, but I couldn't disagreee more. TE that go no. 6 overall in the draft don't go undrafted in any TE-required fantasy football leagues I play in. Someone will take him, whether its too early or not is another story, but someone will take him. So, if your hope is for him to go undrafted and then 'keep an eye on him' on the waiver wire, I would suggest a new plan.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Actually you're right someone may take him and maybe I should have been a little more clear and said that I probably won't be selecting him since I see at least 12 TE's that are in better situations. In no particular order...1) Gates

2) Shockey

3) Heap

4) LJ

5) Cooley

6) Witten

7) Gonzo

8) Troupe

9) McMike

10) Clark

11) Crumpler

12) Miller/Winslow/Hilton/Davis

For the first time since I've been playing FF (13 years) this is the only draft that I feel the TE position is a total crapshoot since the 12th selected TE can easily end up #2 in scoring. It used to be Gonzo, then the big 3 and now it's Gates and the next 14 IMO.

 

[King of the Jungle]

Agree which means he'll probably be undrafted...

No offense, but I couldn't disagreee more. TE that go no. 6 overall in the draft don't go undrafted in any TE-required fantasy football leagues I play in. Someone will take him, whether its too early or not is another story, but someone will take him. So, if your hope is for him to go undrafted and then 'keep an eye on him' on the waiver wire, I would suggest a new plan.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Actually you're right someone may take him and maybe I should have been a little more clear and said that I probably won't be selecting him since I see at least 12 TE's that are in better situations. In no particular order...1) Gates

2) Shockey

3) Heap

4) LJ

5) Cooley

6) Witten

7) Gonzo

8) Troupe

9) McMike

10) Clark

11) Crumpler

12) Miller/Winslow/Hilton/Davis

For the first time since I've been playing FF (13 years) this is the only draft that I feel the TE position is a total crapshoot since the 12th selected TE can easily end up #2 in scoring. It used to be Gonzo, then the big 3 and now it's Gates and the next 14 IMO.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think Witten falls do to Dallas taking a TE in round 2.

 

[Mapmaker]

Just off the top of my head I see the TE spots in 2 tiers for redraft leagues and the players can be shuffled like a deck of cards based on personal preference

Gates

Gonzo

Shockey

Heap

Crumpler

LJ Smith

Whitten

Troupe

McMichael

Cooley

Stevens

Graham

Clarke

Winslow (if healthy)

Davis

I don't see Davis cracking the top tier any too easily with Smith at the helm but still the only proven receiver on the Niners to date is Bryant ... so in a redraft league his value will be marginal, but as stated in an earlier post because of his first round (6 th overall) selection you know he'll be drafted far too early in the majority of leagues.

There's just too many teams with quality TE's and the positional upgrade in so many offensive playbooks makes Davis just another good TE prospect to gamble on late, or draft for dynasty depth at the position in 12 - 14 team leagues

Just my

 

[MikeyFL]

I'm going to go against the grain... In my opinion, there is a very good possibility he'll crack Top 10 among tight ends for one big reason: the lack of receiving options currently in San Francisco.

Remember - Eric Johnson actually had 825 yards for SF in 2004, before dealing with injury problems. He's certainly a good player, but he has nowhere near the level of talent that Vernon Davis has.

Also, keep in mind that Billy Miller (a backup tight end on most teams) had 613 yards for Houston in their first year. Certainly, much of that was due to Houston's lack of talent.

 

[pettifogger]

I'm going to go against the grain... In my opinion, there is a very good possibility he'll crack Top 10 among tight ends for one big reason:  the lack of receiving options currently in San Francisco.

Remember - Eric Johnson actually had 825 yards for SF in 2004, before dealing with injury problems.  He's certainly a good player, but he has nowhere near the level of talent that Vernon Davis has.

Also, keep in mind that Billy Miller (a backup tight end on most teams) had 613 yards for Houston in their first year.  Certainly, much of that was due to Houston's lack of talent.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Good points but the SF Chronicle reported yesterday that Johnson is doing well in his injury rehab and expected to be available for next season. Obviously they didn't draft Davis to sit, but a healthy Johnson could cut into Davis' number of plays, too. Nolan tended to try to ease his rookies into the lineup last year to some extent. The best way to get Davis (in a redraft league, anyway) might be to let someone else overdraft him, then try to trade for him after his early season numbers don't make the top 10, since they will probably improve as the season goes on.

 

[ShadowMaster]

Go look up ANY rookie TE stats and then you'll see why he won't be top 5

 

[bagger.]

Agree which means he'll probably be undrafted since no one really takes backup TE's (or at least they shouldn't). 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

why?

 

[bagger.]

Go look up ANY rookie TE stats and then you'll see why he won't be top 5

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

classic case of hype > substance and is why you should do your own projections.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

If its PPR, then Davis will probably get alot of balls and decent yardage from Alex Smith thrown his way (around 10th ranked TE). If its TD heavy scoring, I don't see the San Fran offense scoring many 20+ point games this year, therefore Davis won't be as valuable as a TE in 2006 (around 15th ranked TE).

 

[Silver & Black]

I, personally, am not as hard on Alex Smith

 

[Banger]

Agree which means he'll probably be undrafted since no one really takes backup TE's (or at least they shouldn't). 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

why?
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Because roster spots are valuable and unless you have a very deep roster I can't justify "wasting" a spot on a backup TE (as a general rule). There are usually decent ones on the waiver wire (for a bye week filler), their upside is limited, and they have little trade value. I'd much rather waste that spot on a backup RB since rostering a Gado/Marion Barber/C. Taylor/Rhodes offers much more value than having Putzier sitting on your bench.

 

[bagger.]

Agree which means he'll probably be undrafted since no one really takes backup TE's (or at least they shouldn't). 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

why?
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Because roster spots are valuable and unless you have a very deep roster I can't justify "wasting" a spot on a backup TE (as a general rule). There are usually decent ones on the waiver wire (for a bye week filler), their upside is limited, and they have little trade value. I'd much rather waste that spot on a backup RB since rostering a Gado/Marion Barber/C. Taylor/Rhodes offers much more value than having Putzier sitting on your bench.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

a te2 is more valuable than a rb5.

 

[Banger]

Agree which means he'll probably be undrafted since no one really takes backup TE's (or at least they shouldn't). 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

why?
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Because roster spots are valuable and unless you have a very deep roster I can't justify "wasting" a spot on a backup TE (as a general rule). There are usually decent ones on the waiver wire (for a bye week filler), their upside is limited, and they have little trade value. I'd much rather waste that spot on a backup RB since rostering a Gado/Marion Barber/C. Taylor/Rhodes offers much more value than having Putzier sitting on your bench.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

a te2 is more valuable than a rb5.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you can p/u a TE2 off the waiver wire why roster one? The difference between the #13 Te (4.85) and #24 TE (3.04) was 1.8 ppg, not much value there. They all taste like chicken. I'd rather "waste" that spot on wr, rb, qb that could truly offer some value and upside. Rostering a TE for 1.5 pts is a waste IMO.

 

[bagger.]

Agree which means he'll probably be undrafted since no one really takes backup TE's (or at least they shouldn't). 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

why?
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Because roster spots are valuable and unless you have a very deep roster I can't justify "wasting" a spot on a backup TE (as a general rule). There are usually decent ones on the waiver wire (for a bye week filler), their upside is limited, and they have little trade value. I'd much rather waste that spot on a backup RB since rostering a Gado/Marion Barber/C. Taylor/Rhodes offers much more value than having Putzier sitting on your bench.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

a te2 is more valuable than a rb5.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you can p/u a TE2 off the waiver wire why roster one? The difference between the #13 Te (4.85) and #24 TE (3.04) was 1.8 ppg, not much value there. They all taste like chicken. I'd rather "waste" that spot on wr, rb, qb that could truly offer some value and upside. Rostering a TE for 1.5 pts is a waste IMO.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

what makes you think my te2 is the #13 te or worse?

 

[Banger]

Agree which means he'll probably be undrafted since no one really takes backup TE's (or at least they shouldn't). 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

why?
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Because roster spots are valuable and unless you have a very deep roster I can't justify "wasting" a spot on a backup TE (as a general rule). There are usually decent ones on the waiver wire (for a bye week filler), their upside is limited, and they have little trade value. I'd much rather waste that spot on a backup RB since rostering a Gado/Marion Barber/C. Taylor/Rhodes offers much more value than having Putzier sitting on your bench.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

a te2 is more valuable than a rb5.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you can p/u a TE2 off the waiver wire why roster one? The difference between the #13 Te (4.85) and #24 TE (3.04) was 1.8 ppg, not much value there. They all taste like chicken. I'd rather "waste" that spot on wr, rb, qb that could truly offer some value and upside. Rostering a TE for 1.5 pts is a waste IMO.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

what makes you think my te2 is the #13 te or worse?
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm sure you're a great TE picker and can get 2 top 10's and get that extra 1 ppg. You have your strategy and I have mine. Mine works well for me and I'm sure yours works for you.

 

[bagger.]

I'm sure you're a great TE picker and can get 2 top 10's and get that extra 1 ppg.  You have your strategy and I have mine.  Mine works well for me and I'm sure yours works for you.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

[Biabreakable]

Last year in a redraft with skimpy rosters (only 14 total players) I used pick 14 on LJ Smith.

I don't consider that a wasted pick at all.

 

[cstu]

Go look up ANY rookie TE stats and then you'll see why he won't be top 5

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

OK...Mike Ditka - 1961 - #1 TE

John Mackey - 1963 - #1 TE

Dave Parks - 1964 - #2 TE (1.4 FP behind Ditka for #1)

Ray Chester - 1970 - #3 TE

Charlie Young - 1973 - #1 TE

Russ Francis - 1975 - #1 TE

Ozzie Newsome - 1978 - #5 TE

Junior Miller - 1980 - #3 TE (2 FP behind Francis for #2)

Rob Awalt - 1987 - #2 TE

Keith Jackson - 1988 - #1 TE

Cam Cleeland - 1998 - #2 TE

Jeremy Shockey - 2002 - #3 TE

Also:

Eric Green - 1900 - #6 TE (1 FP from #5)

Ken Dilger - 1995 - #7 TE

 

[Red Herring]

I usually agree with banger in that a 2nd TE is a wasted pick, with this caveat: If a top 10 talent is sitting there much later than he should be, I'll grab him just to keep him off another roster. He'd likely be one of the first guys I drop in FA, but if he explodes the first couple weeks, you can sometimes get a decent player someone has given up on early in trade