49ers trade Vernon Davis to Broncos for late draft picks
By Ian O'Brien
The San Francisco 49ers have traded Vernon Davis to the Denver Broncos, giving Peyton Manning another weapon.
Tight end Vernon Davis will no longer spend his career with the San Francisco 49ers, as he has been traded to the Denver Broncos in exchange for the Broncos’ sixth and seventh-round draft picks for this year. The 49ers will also receive the Broncos’ 2017 seventh-round pick, as confirmed by ESPN insider Adam Schefter.
Here we go: 49ers trading TE Vernon Davis to Denver for 6th- and 7th-round picks this year, and a 6th-round pick in 2017, sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 2, 2015
It makes sense for the 49ers to part ways with their longtime tight end since he will be a free agent at the end of the season. Davis will undoubtedly be thrilled by the news of his trade. He will be leaving a sinking ship for a team that remained undefeated with a convincing win over the Green Bay Packers. The tight end has spent the first nine full seasons of his career with the 49ers since being drafted sixth overall in 2006, but he will be transferring to a much more favorable situation.
The two-time Pro Bowl tight end has had a productive career overall, as he reached 13 touchdown catches twice in his career while reaching 850 receiving yards three times. The 31-year-old tight end has 441 catches for 5,640 yards and 55 touchdowns in his career. However, his career began to deteriorate as he was unable to develop much chemistry with 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. He had a particularly forgettable season in 2014 with 26 catches for 245 yards and two touchdowns.
However, he will be heading to a Broncos offense that is still being led by quarterback Peyton Manning. Even with Manning on the decline and tail end of his career, he will provide a clear upgrade over Kaepernick. Davis will be surrounded by offensive weapons such as wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and running back Ronnie Hillman. The Broncos offense put on a promising showing against a Packers defense that had performed well prior to their first loss of the season.
Manning had not developed chemistry with either Owen Daniels or Virgil Green, but Davis’ arrival may be just what he needs to rejuvenate his and Manning’s careers. Davis may also be the final piece the Broncos need to make a Super Bowl run since they already possess the top defense in the NFL.