The Tennessee Titans may have had an awful 2014 season with a 2-14 record, but they did have their tight end Delanie Walker produce a career year, which was a bright spot of 2014.
Walker was drafted in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft out of Central Missouri State by the San Francisco 49ers. Like most sixth-round picks, Walker did play much in rookie season, as he played in seven games, and totaled just two catches for 30 receiving yards.
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Over the next six seasons with the 49ers, Walker would find his role on the team, and became a very productive player considering he was taken in the sixth round. In seven seasons in San Francisco, Walker totaled 1,465 receiving yards, 123 receptions, eight receiving touchdowns, and 11.9 yards per reception as a backup tight end.
Walker was selected in the same draft that the 49ers selected tight end Vernon Davis with the sixth overall pick. With a lot of physical tools, Davis was drafted with the high pick by the 49ers, and although he’s had his ups and downs, Davis has been a good tight end in the NFL. With Davis being drafted high in the draft, he was obviously the starter in San Francisco, but Walker was more than a capable backup, and would take a shot at becoming a starting tight end.
In 2013, Walker would sign with the Titans with the opportunity to be their starting tight end in his eighth season in the league. Walker would play very well for the Titans in 2013, as he totaled career-highs with 60 receptions, 571 receiving yards, and six receiving touchdowns. The 2013 production from Walker was excellent, but in 2014 he would play even better.
With a year of being a starting tight end under his belt, Walker would thrive in 2014 with a fantastic season. In 15 games last season, Walker would reset career-highs with 890 receiving yards and 63 receptions.
Sep 14, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) runs for a touchdown after a reception against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at LP Field. The Cowboys beat the Titans 26-10. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports
The 2014 season for Walker put him with some great company among the top tight ends in football, as he ranked fourth in receiving yards with 890 receiving yards. Only Rob Gronkowski, Greg Olsen, and Martellus Bennett had more receiving yards in 2014. Walker would have more receiving yards than big names like Jimmy Graham and Antonio Gates in 2014, as he showed his improvement.
Walker also ranked in the top-10 among tight ends in receptions with his 63, as despite the Titans’ offense not being very good, Walker was able to produce big numbers.
In 2015, the Titans will once again have a young starting quarterback, as likely either Zach Mettenberger or Marcus Mariota will be their starter. Having a reliable tight end is very valuable, as Walker clearly helped Mettenberger have a decent rookie season.
If the Titans do decide to draft Mariota, he will be entering a whole new world from what kind of offense he ran at Oregon. There is going to be at least of year of adjustments for Mariota as he enters the NFL, but having Walker as a safety net could go a long way towards building his confidence at the NFL level.
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