[Lefty Noob]

The San Francisco 49ers have signed both of their first round draft choices. Tight end Vernon Davis from Maryland signed a five-year contract on Friday, the same time the team inked DE Manny Lawson of N.C. State. How soon until both Davis and Lawson are starters for the Niners?

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

The San Francisco 49ers have signed both of their first round draft choices. Tight end Vernon Davis from Maryland signed a five-year contract on Friday, the same time the team inked DE Manny Lawson of N.C. State. How soon until both Davis and Lawson are starters for the Niners?

Vernon Davis is ranked 11th on fantasy draft TE rankings...without playing a down... I think by seasons end this kid is a top 5 player.

Yahoo! Sports - Fantasy - Experts Poll: Tight Ends

[candlejack]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

The San Francisco 49ers have signed both of their first round draft choices. Tight end Vernon Davis from Maryland signed a five-year contract on Friday, the same time the team inked DE Manny Lawson of N.C. State. How soon until both Davis and Lawson are starters for the Niners?

Davis won't officially start, but he will be in a lot of two TE formations so his talents can be showcased, maybe even lineup as a receiver every once in a while. Lawson won't start for a couple of years. It will take that long to learn the complex blocking system the team usually has.

[Lefty Noob]

Seriously? You think Johnson will start over Davis? Since you're a fan of the team, I defer to your insight, but I wonder how the Niners could draft a kid like Davis as high as they did and not use him as the #1 tight end. If he starts, he's got Rookie of the Year written all over him!

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by candlejack

Davis won't officially start, but he will be in a lot of two TE formations so his talents can be showcased, maybe even lineup as a receiver every once in a while. Lawson won't start for a couple of years. It will take that long to learn the complex blocking system the team usually has.

I heard someone say that Davis runs a 4.37 40...wow!...if that's true, he is a physical monster that can become one of the best at his position. Can anyone verify his 40 time?

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

Vernon Davis is ranked 11th on fantasy draft TE rankings...without playing a down... I think by seasons end this kid is a top 5 player.

Yahoo! Sports - Fantasy - Experts Poll: Tight Ends

Gotham: Let some other sucker draft him high. Very few rookie receivers and tight ends put up big fantasy numbers their first year.

[candlejack]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Seriously? You think Johnson will start over Davis? Since you're a fan of the team, I defer to your insight, but I wonder how the Niners could draft a kid like Davis as high as they did and not use him as the #1 tight end. If he starts, he's got Rookie of the Year written all over him!

We will see after training camp. but, Johnson has the job right now. Alex Smith was the #1 pick and he didn't start right away. If Davis grasps the offense real quick and does a better job than Johnson, yes, Davis will start around midseason.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

Gotham: Let some other sucker draft him high. Very few rookie receivers and tight ends put up big fantasy numbers their first year.

They paid big money for him, he'll be in there...also, its a good gamble after the top tier TEs are gone...I count Gonzo, Gates, Shockley, Witten, Heaps...after that I don't know...maybe Cooley...so its a nice pick...also like Winslow as a dark horse.

[ThePundit]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

They paid big money for him, he'll be in there...also, its a good gamble after the top tier TEs are gone...I count Gonzo, Gates, Shockley, Witten, Heaps...after that I don't know...maybe Cooley...so its a nice pick...also like Winslow as a dark horse.

I agree if you take him late. But I'm sure someone will take him too early.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

I agree if you take him late. But I'm sure someone will take him too early.

If someone takes him too early, that drops some other guy down a bit...I usually make an NFL style draft board and all the players I would take by the round I'd take him in.