Week 12 vs. New England
After a couple quiet games to start his time in Denver, Vernon Davis quickly became a favorite target of Brock Osweiler’s. The big TE hauled in all six of his looks for 68 yards in the win over the Bears last week. Owen Daniels also caught four passes, as Osweiler’s bootleg approach led to the Broncos TEs getting open. With Brock the starting QB on Sunday night, expect to see another good outing from Davis and the TE position.
Week 11 at Chicago
In two games with his new team, Vernon Davis has two receptions. Last week in the loss to the Chiefs, he caught his first two passes on four targets as a Bronco. Peyton Manning and the offense was anemic for most of the day, so no one had a good game. With new QB Brock Osweiler at the helm, targets to the TE should continue. However, with Owen Daniels and Virgil Green still in the rotation, Davis still doesn’t make for a good fantasy start.
Week 10 vs. Kansas City
In his Broncos debut last week in Indy, Vernon Davis received a deep look from Peyton Manning, but he couldn’t haul it in. Owen Daniels had a big game in the loss, registering over 100 yards and a score. The Chiefs allow over 250 passing yards per game, but Davis makes for a very shaky TE start, as he continues to learn the Denver offense.
Week 9 at Indianapolis
Newly-acquired TE Vernon Davis joins the Broncos and could be a part of the offense immediately. With the 49ers this season, Vernon had just 18 catches for 194 yards and zero TDs. Of course, Colin Kaepernick and the San Francisco offense are last in the NFL in total yards and points per game, so a fresh start should rejuvenate the veteran. You’re better off starting a different TE this week, but be sure to monitor how Davis fits in to the rotation.
Week 8 at St. Louis
Vernon Davis is seeing more action this season, as evidenced by his four-catch, 61-yard effort last week, but he's only played in three games. The 49ers passing game is struggling, but the Rams have allowed an average of 55 yards per game to opposing tight ends - though just one touchdown. It's tough to recommend anyone in the 49ers offense right now, though.
Week 7 vs. Seattle
Davis returned to action after sitting out with a knee injury, logging 34 snaps for the 49ers against the Ravens. That's the good news. The bad? Colin Kaepernick apparently forgot about him again, targeting him on just one pass. Seattle limited him to two catches for 13 yards last season on five targets, but has been getting toasted by opposing tight ends this season, allowing five TE touchdowns in six games. The Seahawks are 29th in points allowed to tight ends but if Kaepernick isn't going to look his way, it will be tough for Davis to be a factor.
Week 5 at Giants
Davis (knee) is practicing on a limited basis this week. He could return for what would normally be a nice matchup against the Giants. But with the way Colin Kaepernick is playing, do you trust him to get the ball to Davis?
Week 4 vs Green Bay
Davis got shut out last week at Arizona (much like the rest of the San Francisco passing game),and has a knee injury that might keep him out this week. Keep an eye on the injury report, but after being shut out last week, it would be tough to put Davis in your lineup this week -- even against a Green Bay defense that allowed six catches for 80 yards to tight ends against Kansas City in Week 3.
Week 3 at Arizona
It's now officially time to put Davis back on your fantasy football radar. He has eight catches for over 109 yards in the first two games this year after being the forgotten man for most of the past two seasons. He's second on the team in both targets and catches, which is a nice change of pace. He has also played all but 10 offensive snaps in the first two weeks. He's not quite back to top-flight tight end status, but he's inching closer.
Week 2 at Pittsburgh
Six targets in one game for Vernon Davis? It doesn't sound like a lot, but it matched his season-high from a year ago. He turned those looks into three catches for 47 yards, which wasn't a monster day, but good enough to put him on the radar again. The Steelers allowed four TD passes last week, all to tight ends, and have given up 17 TD passes to tight ends in their past 17 regular season games. Can Davis make it 18 for 18? I wouldn't bet on it since he's been forgotten so long in the SF offense. But his start does at least make him somebody who fantasy owners should keep an eye on.
