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San Francisco 49ers: Will Derek Carrier become leading tight end?

By Brian Spaen

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Remember just a few years ago when Vernon Davis of the San Francisco 49ers was one of the leading tight ends in the NFL? It’s been a hard fall from the top after a disastrous 2014 campaign. Can Davis return to his high level of play or are the 49ers looking ahead at the potential of Derek Carrier?

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Rumors swirling of an injury-plagued year for Davis last season, resulting in his severely diminished role, seem to be true. Mark Purdy of the San Jose Mercury News confirmed to Niners Nation that he’s heard enough from San Francisco that Davis played hurt, although offensive coordinator Geep Chryst didn’t say anything about it in an interview.

It wasn’t just the fall off of Davis that contributed to such a decline at the tight end position. While the spotlight has always been on Davis, it was clear that Delanie Walker was undervalued in his last years with the 49ers.

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Walker moved on to the Tennessee Titans after the 2012 season and has caught 60 or more catches in the last two years and had a career-high 890 receiving yards last season. The most he caught with the 49ers was 29 catches in 2010. To put it in another perspective, Walker has recorded 10 touchdowns in 30 games with the Titans compared to eight touchdowns in 99 games with the 49ers.

The only tight end that stepped up at times in 2014 was Derek Carrier. Part of it was due to injuries with Vance McDonald and Garrett Celek, and another were tight ends not really making it onto the field as much because the 49ers focused more on lining up receivers.

Just looking at the stats, you’ll wonder why Carrier could be considered as the next guy at tight end. Nine catches for just 108 yards and no touchdowns? Part of it is the work ethic he’s had in the past, and believe it or not, playing another sport him out.

In an article from the AP (via FOX Sports), it explained how Carrier spending two years playing basketball in college aided in his tight end skills.

"Carrier’s time on the hardwood wasn’t a total loss, though. He said his basketball experience helped hone his footwork and hand-eye coordination, which are valuable traits as a blocker and pass catcher in the NFL.”I think the basketball aspect deals more with just general athleticism,” Carrier said. ”I think a lot of the moves you have in basketball are similar, posting up, being able to move with your feet and your hands, it translates on the football field.”"

That athleticism showed promise until Carrier suffered a foot injury and couldn’t play in San Francisco’s final five games. It didn’t stop the 49ers from signing the tight end to a two-year contract.

While Davis is going to feel the pressure of stepping up after a bad season, Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee believes Carrier could be a bigger player to watch.

"[The person of interest] might be Carrier, whom the 49ers recently signed to a modest contract extension. If he can stay healthy, the 49ers may look to him to be their big-play tight end of the future."

It’s hard not to root for Davis, a guy who famously started growing up during the Mike Singletary era and has hit a hard moment in his career.

But as the tight end gets older and has reached the final year of his contract, it’s going to be hard to justify keeping him on the team if somebody like Carrier continues to improve.

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