The Washington Redskins signed veteran tight end Vernon Davis to a one-year deal Thursday. Here’s what the move means:
Tight end overview: The Redskins now have four capable tight ends with Davis on the roster along with Jordan Reed, Niles Paul and Logan Paulsen -- plus another one they like as a developmental guy in Marcel Jensen. They also have Derek Carrier, but he tore multiple ligaments in his knee in December and is no lock to be ready when the season begins -- and perhaps not even until the midway point. The Redskins, unlike last year, now have some blocking depth in addition to tight ends who can catch. The Redskins have typically kept three tight ends on the roster, but they have yet to replace fullback Darrel Young and could use Paul in that role when needed. Young played 107 snaps last season, so it’s becoming a less important position.
Impact: Davis’ days as the primary threat at tight end appear to be over, but he would provide them insurance if they endure another season as in 2015 at this position and is a guy who remains a capable receiving threat. Once upon a time, only a few years ago, Davis could get downfield in a hurry and was a different sort of tight end threat. His speed was impressive. The Redskins don’t need him to be that guy; they have others who can fill that role when needed.
But considering the Redskins have three tight ends recovering from injuries last season and another who had been injury-prone in the past, they absolutely needed more depth. Tight ends have been difficult for many teams to find, especially in the draft. Blocking tight ends seem to be even harder to find these days. And one thing that intrigued the Redskins about Davis was his blocking. That was an area of emphasis at this position in the offseason. The tight end blocking was way too inconsistent once Paulsen and Paul were lost for the season in August. If Davis can provide help in this area and catch a few passes? They’d have to be happy.
Overall: Davis caught 52 passes for 850 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2013 with San Francisco, but since then he’s caught a combined 64 passes with two touchdowns -- and was traded midseason to Denver. He didn’t catch a pass during Denver’s postseason run, and was targeted only once. So it’s hard to say that Davis will make a big impact in Washington. He should be viewed as veteran insurance and another possible target for Kirk Cousins. With several players having injury questions, adding another tight end was necessary. Two teams have now given up on Davis, but the Redskins don’t need him to be a standout; they just need him to help. And if he can’t? I haven’t seen the money yet, but I’m guessing he still has to prove what he has left in order to secure a spot.
ESPN reporter Paul Gutierrez's take (he covered Davis in San Francisco): "While the 'low fuel' light turned on for Davis early last season in Santa Clara, he appeared to run completely out of gas with Denver -- even if he got himself that elusive Super Bowl ring. Davis entered the NFL as an athletic freak who had the body of a linebacker and the speed of a wideout, but he hit that proverbial wall fast. His last TD catch came on opening day ... 2014. And with the Niners, he appeared to stop extending himself for balls; critics said he developed a bad case of alligator arms across the middle. Others saw him simply more worried about his future off the field than his present success on it. Consider: He had 13 TD catches in 2013, and has had two since -- both in that '14 opener. At one time he was both a blocking and receiving tight end, but by the time the 49ers traded him to the Broncos, he resembled neither."
