Week 17 at New York Giants
Washington will look to finish the season on a high note, with most starters playing in Week 17, unless injured. The Giants defense is just 21st in aFPA to TEs. Vernon Davis has been inconsistent week-to-week, but he should be on the radar as a risky low-end TE1 in Week 17. Just hope he scores.
Week 16 vs. Denver Broncos
Vernon Davis is playing heavy snaps, but he's just not seeing the targets. It's possible he's being called on to block more with Washington's offensive line decimated by injuries. Davis has not gone over 30 yards in four straight games. You can't play him in Week 16 with any confidence, despite the plus matchup on paper against the Broncos, who have struggled against TEs.
Week 15 vs. Arizona Cardinals
After two weeks with just 3 targets, Vernon Davis thankfully got back to getting the ball last week with 7 targets. Thankfully, he scored a touchdown as he only caught 2 passes for 26 yards. This inconsistency and lack of efficiency in recent weeks renders him as nothing more than a streaming option in Week 15.
Week 14 at Los Angeles Chargers
Washington has a below average implied team total in Vegas this week of 20.25 points. Plus, we do not know why Washington has stopped using Davis in recent weeks (3 targets in the past two games), but that lack of usage means you cannot start him with any confidence in a lose-and-you're-out fantasy playoffs week. Bench him. Even with Jordan Reed out.
Week 13 at Dallas Cowboys
Sometimes fantasy football just isn't fair. See: Vernon Davis on Thanksgiving against the worst team in the league against tight ends but only receiving a single target. Like a bad race for a horse, sometimes you just have to toss a week for your fantasy players. Jordan Reed is likely still out, and Vernon Davis was averaging 12.5 PPR points from Weeks 9-11. He's still a viable starter in Week 13.
Week 12 vs. New York Giants
This is a possible blow up spot week for Washington tight ends. The Giants have allowed 10 touchdowns to tight ends this season, with last week (ironically against Travis Kelce) being the first week they didn't allow a touchdown to the position. New York is still dead last in aFPA vs. TEs, though. Consider Davis a bonafide TE1 in Week 12.
Week 11 at New Orleans Saints
Jordan Reed (hamstring) suffered a setback last week. It does not look promising that he will play Sunday. That means another week for Vernon Davis to shine. He has 20 targets in the past two weeks with lines of 6-72 and 7-76. If Reed is out again, consider Davis a top-5 option at the position for Week 11 against a Saints defense that has been stout against TE, but In a game expected to be a shootout with the second-highest over/under in Vegas for the weekend.
Week 10 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Jordan Reed is moving in the wrong direction on the injury report this week, practicing on a limited basis early in the week then not at all Friday. Fire up Vernon Davis as a TE1 again this week, as Kirk Cousins continues to look his way with an utter lack of protection up front and less-than-stellar outside receivers.
Week 9 at Seattle Seahawks
Jordan Reed is likely out, and Vernon Davis was already a top-10 TE since Week 3. Plus, Seahawks safety Earl Thomas might be out and Washington may not have Jamison Crowder. Things are shaping up for a high-volume day for Davis, making him a viable TE1 in Week 9.
Week 8 vs. Dallas Cowboys
Even with Jordan Reed snagging 2 touchdowns last week, an interesting thing happened. Vernon Davis was still relevant. He's had 60+ yards in three straight games. Since Week 3, Davis is the fantasy TE9. Keep him on your radar moving forward, especially if Jordan Reed gets hurt again; however, his target share (less than 5 in back-to-back weeks) makes him a little too risky for Week 8.
