All TE projections   •  Current TE rankings   •   All SF projections   •  SF team report   •  SF Stats

TE Delanie Walker, San Francisco 49ers

HT: 6-2, WT: 240, Born: 8-12-1984, College: Central Missouri State, Drafted: Round 6

2008 Projections

Best Case

Vernon Davis has made many costly mistakes in his career to date. If this continues then the 49ers could seek a more reliable option. Delanie Walker is a good receiver and solid blocker so would get the call if this were to happen. Davis has had injury concerns in his two years to date and Walker demonstrated last year with his 21 catches that he is capable in relief. To demonstrate their belief in Walker, the 49ers were looking to extend his contract.

Worst Case

If Davis is fit, he'll play. Davis is a better receiver, blocker and all round player than Walker. It is therefore difficult to see how Walker can possibly get regular playing time. Walker will primarily be used in special teams, where he excelled for the 49ers last year and for the occasional variety play. As a former wide receiver Walker is undersized for the position and unlikely to handle full time duty should the opportunity arise.

Outlook

Walker was drafted by the 49ers as a wide receiver in 2006. He was quickly converted to tight end to back up Davis. He is an able receiver and willing blocker. Any productivity from Walker this year will depend on the impact Davis has. Mike Martz likes to utilize all options in his offense and has talked about the versatility offered by Walker. It is unlikely Walker will appear on fantasy radars, but should Davis falter or gets injured keep his name in mind.

Relevant Articles

2008 Schedule

2007 Game Summaries

Week 3 - Walker was targeted seven times as San Francisco focused the passing games on its tight ends. Walker caught three passes. Despite the attention he received from Smith, Walker was unimpressive; he gained only 19 yards and dropped two passes he could have caught.

Week 4 - With Vernon Davis out of the lineup, Walker played the role of the primary receiving tight end. Walker was able to split behind the linebacker down the sideline deep in Seahawks territory, however was just slightly overthrown on a ball that would have gone for a touchdown pass.

Week 5 - Walker started for an injured Vernon Davis at the tight end position, but was not targeted in the passing game.

Week 7 - Walker caught one pass for four yards

Week 8 - Playing behind a healthy Vernon Davis, Walker was used mostly as a blocker, but also saw a couple of short passes thrown his way.

Week 9 - Walker was only a target when Smith was desperate and found no one open. Of course, when Walker was open on a deep post pattern, Smith overthrew the ball.

Week 10 - Walker caught his only target of the game in the first quarter.

Week 13 - Walker was targeted twice in the game. He caught one pass for a 21 yard touchdown. The score put San Francisco within three points early in the second half.

Week 14 - Walker had a career game, pulling in six of his eight targets to lead the 49ers with 66 receiving yards. Most of his yardage came after the game was well decided and the Vikings were giving the 49ers short underneath passes.

Week 15 - Walker had two catches for 13 yards in the first half. He did not have any catches in the second half.