Vernon Davis is your new #1 Dynasty TE
Antonio Gates. Jason Witten. Tony Gonzalez.
The list of must have dynasty TEs is a short one. The three above have all grossly transcended their fantasy TE positions to become true strategic and productive game changers for their lucky respective coaches. Whether an owner of one of these TEs or a team having to play against them, the advantage is obvious. Possess one of these threats and you possess a significant positional fppg (Fantasy Points Per Game) advantage.
Vernon Davis (V.D.) erupted in 2009, amassing 78 receptions, nearly 1,000 yards and 13 TDs – nearly doubling his total production over the previous three years. What’s more, at 26 years of age, V.D. has been durable and the 49er offense has made great strides in that past 12 mos. that should allow Davis to continue producing at a torrid pace.
While it could be too soon to anoint him as “the next,” there is nothing that I can find that realistically reduces his value going into the 2010 season. V.D. possesses tangible receiver qualities that are ridiculous for his position and simply can’t be covered by any LB. If you doubt this, understand that each opposing team new exactly how their LBs would be beaten on the same skinny post, game after game … and still could not stop it.
A sufficient run game paired with a more diverse passing attack with Crabtree and Ginn Jr. will only make for more, or at least consistent, opportunities for Davis. I cannot project a great increase in receptions for Davis and to expect much more production from any single statistical category would be expecting too much. After all, any fantasy coach receiving anything remotely similar to his 2009 production would be no less than ecstatic.
V.D. is one of those few TEs who can actually be drafted extremely early as a WR1 replacement in certain situations. If you are lucky enough in your draft situation to pull it off, an early selection of a WR1 followed by V.D.in the following round would be a huge advantage week-in, week-out. In short, with the slow decline underway of the three TEs mentioned at the beginning of this article, Vernon Davis now becomes THE coveted #1 TE in new or rebuilding dynasty drafts. Lofty heights for a TE with just one year of significant production, but heights you should be comfortable with.
Projection: 82 Receptions, 1,049 Yards, 12 TDs
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12 TDs? Really? Who will be throw all those balls in his direction? Alex Smith? Sure he’s a viable bye week option but no 25 TD 4000 yards QB. Keep in mind there’s still Michael Crabtree and a decent Josh Morgan on the roster. Frank Gore is a very capable pass catching RB.
2009s 13 TDs was nice to see from a very unmotivated physical beast. However to ask for a repeat showing would be irresponsible. I don’t even think a back to back 1000 yard double digit TD season has ever been done before.