The 49ers are looking closely at Maryland’s TE Vernon Davis, who stands out in a deep class of tight ends. Though they have a range of needs, from outside linebacker to defensive end to safety to wide receiver, tight end also is a priority, and Davis’ unique blend of athleticism, speed and receiving skills give him an opportunity to develop into a game-changing receiver who could also help accelerate the development of Alex Smith.
Coach Mike Nolan says the 49ers are keeping all their options open and it’s too early to zero in on one position with their No. 6 overall pick. But the 49ers struggled at tight end last season, and Davis has the potential to solidify the position for years to come.
Source: [Sporting News]
Vaughn said:
LOOK REAL CLOSE, BECAUSE WE NEED HIM!
8 mins after the fact.MF DOOM said:
From what I’ve read in the ESPN Draft mag, Davis seems to be limited as a blocker since he doesn’t use his strength effectively. Any thoughts on this guy’s weaknesses?
12 mins after the fact.Anonymous said:
I agree, phydical stregnth and playing stregth are different things and his blocking limitations make me worry about getting him at 6. I’d rather trade back a few spots, pick up and extra mid0late rounder and get Huff
20 mins after the fact.thizzel said:
true..i expect mike nolan to solidify the defense by getting michael huff and using him like what he did with ed reed when he was coaching in baltimore..a play-making safety on defense..i think our 1st two picks will be a safety and a TE or vice versa..get S huff then TE pope from georgia or get VD then S bing from USC.
45 mins after the fact.Anonymous said:
I don’t think Nolan cares much about Huff and is after Bing.
58 mins after the fact.thizzel said:
he could be.. but recent first round safties have been all-pro’s(ed reed, sean taylor, roy williams).. i think it’ll be better for us to keep games low scoring and close, then trying to get in a shootout with em’.. Throwing only touchdown in the final game of six games..Looks like he has potential..but a shootout with the cardinals or seahawks..dont think so
1 hour after the fact.BurlyD_83 said:
I do believe that VD will be a great/amazing “receiving” tight end… but I also have heard and read on many sights that he is not a great blocker… The 49ers #1 strength right now is our running game, especially w/our O-Line, I think that in order to spend a #6 pick in the NFL Draft on a TE, he would have to be able to be a good blocker as well as receiver… I would love to have a TE with VD receiving skills, but I think it would strengthen our team even more if we drafted an impact defensive player with our #1 (Maybes – Williams, Hawk, Huff)... and grabbed a guy like M. Lewis in the 2nd round (it’s looking more and more likely that, that could be a possibility). While not as athletic (or freakish) as VD he’s got great height and is a very good receiver, not to mention a better blocker than VD and we wouldn’t have to spend a 1 Rd #6 on him… This would allow us to fill a position of need on defense with top 10 1st round talent and fill our TE spot w/a talented TE that could be a major threat in the red-zone and a great target for Alex Smith, while at the same time, only costing us a 2nd and allowing us to fill more needs! I think that if VD wasn’t in this year’s draft, most everyone would love the idea of the 49ers drafting Lewis.
1 hour after the fact.Vin said:
I think Burly and a couple of you guys hit the nail on the head. While having a great receiver like VD would help Alex Smith, it’ll be difficult to get VD and then find a defensive player in the early second round that’ll make even a comparable impact Hawk, Williams, or Huff would.
On the other hand, you can take Williams, Huff, or Williams, and still get UCLA’s M. Lewis at the top of the second round.
The only problem is this: will one of those three (Williams, Hawk, Huff) fall to us at #6. If so, then they should be strongly considered… otherwise, VD will probably be taken.
2 hours after the fact.thizzel said:
i agree with that one..look at the chargers..potent offense but no playoffs..VD can be the next brent gates or even better.. but TE’s lewis or pope probably can produce similar numbers..Mike Nolan is defensive minded..his blueprint of the team is from the super bowl champs baltimore ravens and the bears from last year..im pretty sure alex smith wont put up big numbers..but can put up bigger numbers than trent dilfer and kyle ortan
2 hours after the fact.thizzel said:
i agree with that one..look at the chargers..potent offense but no playoffs..VD can be the next brent gates or even better.. but TE’s lewis or pope probably can produce similar numbers..Mike Nolan is defensive minded..his blueprint of the team is from the super bowl champs baltimore ravens and the bears from last year..im pretty sure alex smith wont put up big numbers..but can put up bigger numbers than trent dilfer and kyle ortan
2 hours after the fact.P'Nelly said:
I doubt is Williams or Hawk will be around at #6. As much as we all like VD, trading down may be the best option for us. If we could trade down a few slots and still pick up Huff or a penetrating lineman like Broderick Bunkley (3-4 DE), I think we’d be in a good shape. This draft is going to produce more starters from the 2nd and 3rd rounds than usual…..so getting a pick in these rounds to trade down a little, would be solid. Walsh used to do it all the time!
2 hours after the fact.adman said:
so what if walsh did it we need some one now most top 10 players have already developed thats why they get so much hype draftin VD would be a great pickup because like alot of people say he is a WR in a TEs body drafting him would fill two holes with one pick that would be a good pick not trading down and picking up somebody guy no ones heard of
3 hours after the fact.P'Nelly said:
Have another drink adman!
3 hours after the fact.theraven said:
Yeah, who are those other guys adman? Not like they did anything in college. Not like anyone outside the top 10 would fill a need or develop into a top player right. God I hate this time of year when morons that know nothing about the draft or the players in it spout off…
I do like Davis and he would make a good option, but our draft doesn’t hang on him. We have so many needs that there is alot of different ways we could go.
The person earlier that said we could take a defender early and find a good TE later but not vice-versa is also retarded. There are plenty of good Safeties, Corners, and LB’s in this draft. In fact, it is one of the best drafts in years at those positions as far as 1st day depth goes. There are a number of scenario’s where we could take Davis #6 and then pick up someone like Ko Simpson, Richard Marshall, Jonathan Joseph, Daniel Bullocks, Kelly Jennings or one of the other many talented DB’s who will be around in the early 2nd. Any one of those guys would start over who we have now. As far as LB’s go, there are guys like Kamerion Wimbley or Ernie Sims that will still be around. Not to mention there will be some good receivers and lineman around there as well.
3 hours after the fact.BurlyD_83 said:
Raven… you referred to the “person earlier who believed we should take a defensive player w/the first” as being retarded… well, it looks like there were about 4 who agreed going defense @ #1 would be a good idea… How could you say that drafting Williams, Hawk or Huff (if they drop) and grabbing M. Lewis w/the 2nd is retarded??? You’re crazy if you think that wouldn’t benefit this team… And no, that’s not the only option for us and none of us said it was… We have numerous options open to us… I (along w/some others) merely believe that it would benefit the team greatly to grab a top 10 defender and still be able to land a VERY good TE, in the 2nd round. I ask you this… Which TE in NFL HISTORY was more of a game changer / leader than Ray Lewis – Brian Urlacher – Dwight Freeney – Charles Haley – etc??? The list could go on all day! There are NONE!
4 hours after the fact.Remember saying this “God I hate this time of year when morons that know nothing about the draft or the players in it spout off” – Well you may be in that group also!
P'Nelly said:
Both of you have some good ideas and it’s great to see we have options. I like a trade down scenario if Williams and Hawk are not there. What are your thoughts on Broderick Bunkley in the middle of the first and then go get a TE with the pick we’d get for moving down.
6 hours after the fact.BurlyD_83 said:
If Williams, Hawk and Huff are gone @ #6, I wouldn’t mind trading down a few spots and picking up another 2nd and 4th… I think Bunkley, Lawson, J. Williams would all be good picks for us.
6 hours after the fact.juan said:
i totaly agree with adman he is totaly right there is no reason y we should trade down, dont listen to them adman
7 hours after the fact.Darrel said:
U fool’s!! If the offense is constantly going 3 and out, our defense will quickly wear down. Which is why we need VD to help us moving those chains, besides EJ is a gamble to stay healthy. VD would be the perfect solution to slow the pass rush, even the flats routes could be dangerous. Plenty of defensive help in next few rounds, I like Bing and Richard Marshall is a sleeper(and a local boy)
!
12 hours after the fact.Ruined Embrace said:
I agree with Darrel. Our defense was pretty good of what I saw last year, even if it was full of second and third strings. Most points against us were scored in the later quarters because our offense couldn’t stay on the field. A solid offense is what would help our defense the most. So I say go with VD and let EJ start this year and let VD play backup and come in on two TE sets. Let him work with the offensive line coach during a big part of this year, since we all know, the greatest area of improvement of offensive lineman is between their rookie year and 2nd year. So, when EJ’s contract is over next year and we might have to let him go, VD should have improved greatly with his blocking.
23 hours after the fact.jack said:
you guys all no 49ers werent really known for there defense beside a few indidviduals but when you think 49ers first thing that comes to mind Jerry rice,montana,young clark etc etc we need players like that example vernon davis
1 day after the fact.Mike S said:
I agree with Darrel, Our defense is not that bad, they are just on the field way to long. Someone to move the chains is exactly what the niners need. V.D
1 day after the fact.9ersrule said:
jack is right
1 day after the fact.Julian Castro said:
Draft TALENT
Vernon Davis has proven that he’s worth the pick.
2 days after the fact.MJ said:
Getting VD is one of the best moves we could possibly do this offseason. I will personally be pissed off as hell if we end up trading down in the draft to the “teens” to get Huff. VD is criticised for his blocking but come on people, weigh his good against his bad and its no contest! He has reciever capabilities, is a good blocker (but he is no offensive lineman), and with him and Erick Johnson we would have an extremely scary offense with 2 tight ends! Giving Alex Smith another target will not hurt us but only help. It is a step in the right direction. A few days ago on NFL.com I also saw this report by about a former 49er who is trying to buy a team with Steve Young (I am assuming they were referring to Arena Football.) This former 49er was wanting the Niners to get VD and even said he would personally join the staff to mentor and build VD to be a big part of our offense.
2 days after the fact.Vernon Davis should be our #6 pick. Hands down. We have two 3rd round picks and personally I think we should trade down some of our later picks for another first rounder to pickup a linebacker line Greenway (who I do not think will get picked before pick #15) and then get Bing in the second round.
college hill on bet on line bookmakers said:
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38 days after the fact.