As Vernon Davis racks up catches and yards in a losing effort for the 49ers, one can’t help but wonder if he’ll soon be doing the same in a different uniform. As it turns out, numerous teams have called to explore the availability of the 49ers tight end, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). The feeling, he adds, is that Davis is available.
Davis is in the final year of his contract and there is little chance that he will return to San Francisco next season, given that his production has dropped off since his Pro Bowl performance in 2013. The 49ers are in clear rebuilding mode, and it would make sense for them to at least recoup some value for Davis while they have the chance.
Of course, they will also need to weigh whether any potential compensation they receive from trading Davis would be more valuable than the compensatory pick they would receive when he signs with a different club. At the same time, by trading Davis mid-season, SF can net a pick for the 2016 draft rather than a compensatory pick in 2017 should he leave as a free agent. Likewise, any team that trades for Davis would be in line for a compensatory pick should he sign elsewhere, thereby helping to offset the cost of trading for him right now.
Davis has been battling injury this season but he looks healthy right now and he would welcome a change of scenery. Any team dealing for him would be on the hook for roughly half of his $4.7MM salary, including weekly roster bonuses.
It’s not clear which teams have called on Davis, but the Broncos would be one logical suitor given their lack of production at the tight end position.
Fifth rounder for him?
I’ll trade him for a new RG and RT
Cmon packers