The Washington Redskins have hardly been using Fred Davis in their offense this season (4 games, 3 receptions, 25 yards), so it’s only natural they’re looking to trade the talented tight end, with teams like the Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts and Kansas City Chiefs showing quite a lot of interest in the player.
There’s not a whole lot of action going on as we near the trade deadline, but one of the more active names out there is Davis, who has been plagued by injuries over the last few years after a very promising start to his career with the Redskins. Jordan Reed has emerged as the team’s best tight end (34 receptions, 388 yards, 2 touchdowns) despite being on his first year in the NFL, which means Davis is expendable for the Redskins to try and get a draft pick with.
Davis is still able to contribute and at 27 and healthy again, there’s still some good use to get out of him and value in both trading him and for what the Redskins should get for him. A second round pick in the 2008 draft, Davis caught 59 passes for 796 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2011, his best season.
So who could make the best use of him? The Chiefs are the first name that comes up on almost any offensive piece in the league, as they feel that they can’t simply rely on the best defense and to keep adding pieces around Alex Smith to make this undefeated start into something that becomes substantial in the playoffs.
The Green Bay Packers have been hit with so many injuries to their receivers and tight ends it’s only natural they might try to add a player that will benefit from a chance of scenery and working with Aaron Rodgers, who might help him revive his career. At Green Bay, Davis should find himself in a much more substantial role as Jermichael Finley is likely out for the season.
The Indianapolis Colts have now lost Reggie Wayne for the season, and their running game isn’t good enough with Trent Richardson on his own. Coby Fleener might be a very good tight end one day, but for now he isn’t very reliable, and adding a veteran piece like Fred Davis could make the Wayne injury impact feel lessened.
The New York Jets find themselves still as a playoff contender, to most people’s surprise. However, they’ve got big problems at tight end: Kellen Winslow is suspended until week 11, while Jeff Cumberland is out with a concussion. This puts the inexperienced Zach Sudfeld as next on the depth chart, meaning that adding Davis might be more than just a luxury but an actual necessity.