Week 7 at Philadelphia Eagles
Vernon Davis is getting more looks in this offense, but for fantasy purposes, he's not a starting consideration unless Jordan Reed is inactive. That is not the case for Week 7.
Week 6 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Vernon Davis is a high-value tight end handcuff, given the state of the position. It's hard to find tight ends, and if you're a Jordan Reed owner, he's close to a must own. Reed is expected to play this week, though; therefore, you should not start Davis.
Week 4 at Kansas City Chiefs
Vernon Davis would be a great streaming option again this week at the TE position. One problem. He doesn't play until Monday night. If Jordan Reed is ruled out on Saturday, Davis is cleared for takeoff as a low-end TE1 again in a tougher matchup this week. If Reed is a game-time decision again, you're handcuffed and can't take the chance unless you own both Reed and Davis.
Week 3 vs. Oakland Raiders
Jordan Reed always seems to have some type of injury. This week is no different, but he has practiced on a limited basis and is on track to play Sunday night. Vernon Davis should only be played if Reed is out.
Fantasy Upside
Behold, the rare TE handcuff. In the four weeks Jordan Reed did not play last season, Davis was the TE10 in PPR points.
Fantasy Downside
Did we mention the word handcuff? Davis has no value without a Jordan Reed injury.
2017 Bottom Line
If Reed gets hurt, pick him up off the waiver wire. Don't draft him though.
Week 17 vs. New York Giants
Vernon Davis had just one catch for 13 yards last week filling in for the injured Jordan Reed, and was targeted just two times. Despite being targeted a season-high nine times the week before, Davis and the TE fantasy numbers overall have really disappeared for the Redskins.
Davis isn't a safe play this week as a result. He's just 13th on our list this week, making him more of a higher-end TE2 play. It's a nice matchup this week, as the Giants are just 27th in allowing fantasy points to the position. The Skins have a playoff berth on the line with a win, while the Giants aren't playing for anything. So the odds seem to be in Davis' favor. Keep in mind there was a report Tuesday that said Reed was going to attempt to play through his shoulder injury.
Week 15 vs. Carolina
Vernon Davis had just one catch for one yard last week on two targets. The Eagles are pretty good at defending the TE, but Davis and Jordan Reed combined for just two catches for 11 yards on three targets. The return of Reed sure puts a dent in Davis' potential, but it's obvious Reed isn't 100-percent (and Davis has been a pretty solid TE2 option even with Reed healthy and in the lineup). Davis is way down our TE list this week (even with a good matchup), so we're a little unsure about starting him as a TE1.
Week 14 at Philadelphia
Vernon Davis caught five balls for 47 yards last week filling in for Jordan Reed, who remains out with a shoulder injury. Davis just missed scoring a TD, which would have been a nice boost to his final fantasy numbers.
This week, Reed's status is again up in the air, so Davis could again be poised to be the Skins TE1. Davis is ranked 12th on our list, making him a low-end TE1 option overall. The Eagles are fifth in allowing fantasy points to the position, so it's not a great matchup. Overall, the Eagles haven't played well on defense lately, so Davis seems to have a chance to do better than his ranking.
Week 13 vs. Washington
Even with a huge game by Jordan Reed, Vernon Davis caught five balls for 68 yards on eight targets. Reed did leave the game for a while, but returned, however. Davis has proved to be a reliable target for QB Kirk Cousins even with Reed on the field.
Now Reed has a shoulder injury, so Davis is poised to take over if Reed can't play in Week 13. If he's on your wire, he's worth picking up as a TE1 option. If you're a Reed owner, Davis is probably worth keeping on your roster as a handcuff if you can fit him. The bad news for this week is the Cardinals are first in allowing fantasy points to TEs, so it's not a great matchup, but Davis should be a TE1 regardless and is worth plugging in.
Week 11 vs. Green Bay
Vernon Davis caught three balls for 66 yards and a TD last week. He played on over half of the snaps as DeSean Jackson was out, leaving the Skins to use some two-TE sets against the Vikings.
Davis comes in 17th on our TE list this week in a very nice matchup against the Packers, who are 24th in allowing fantasy points to the position. Davis will be a risky play with Jordan Reed the team's TE1, but if Jackson is out again Davis may be more active if the team continues to use two TEs. So, there are certainly some factors involved when it comes to starting Davis in your fantasy lineup. Overall, he should be considered a middle-of-the-road TE2 this week.
