Fred Davis

Davis was the team's leading receiver through the first six games, had 10.2 YPT and was on pace for more than 800 yards before tearing his Achilles’ tendon in Week 7. But even before he got hurt, Davis had not scored a touchdown as he received only two red-zone targets to that point. Moreover, Davis' backup, Logan Paulsen, saw only two red-zone targets in 16 games. With the mobile Robert Griffin (seven rushing TD) and the rugged Alfred Morris (13 rushing TD), the Redskins passed only 49 times in the red zone, second fewest in the league. That again figures to be a hurdle for Davis. His first hurdle, though, is getting healthy. While he's expected to be ready for training camp, at what capacity remains to be seen, and he'll have increased competition there from third-round pick Jordan Reed.

Davis was en route to a breakout year before a four-game suspension for recreational drugs cut his season short. Prorating his 796 receiving yards to 16 games gives him 1,061 yards, which would have ranked third among tight ends, behind only Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham. Davis’ emergence was partially due to season-ending knee/finger injuries to teammate Chris Cooley, who didn’t make it beyond the second quarter of the fifth game. But even before Cooley went down, Davis was on his way to owning the position – he saw 21 targets to Cooley’s 12 in the first four games. A healthy Cooley could steal some targets this season, but Davis is likely the team’s No. 1 tight end. One of the league’s more explosive tight ends who gets open down field with his quickness, Davis tied for third among tight ends with 15 catches of 20-plus yards, despite playing only 12 games. Improved quarterback play will only help his situation. And even if rookie Robert Griffin III struggles, he’ll likely look to Davis as his dump-off target. With only a middling wide-receiver corps with which to compete, Davis should have no trouble picking up where he left off last season. The Redskins apparently think so too, as they made Davis their franchise player this offseason. The only caveat is that he’s one failed drug test away from a one-year suspension.

The outlook for Davis would be much brighter if that Chris Cooley guy wasn’t in Washington. Davis is a better receiver than blocker but sees minimal targets. He has good explosiveness for a tight end, as his two catches of 40-plus yards on only 21 receptions show. If Cooley goes down, jump on Davis. Until then, though, Davis is a bit player.

Davis had seven receptions for 45 yards through first six weeks of the season last year. But after Chris Cooley suffered a season-ending broken ankle in Week 7, Davis thrived as the No. 1 tight end, finishing the season with 48 receptions for 509 yards and six touchdowns. Cooley is now healthy and splitting reps with Davis, which hurts the fantasy prospects for both players. That’s unfortunate, because new coach Mike Shanahan and new quarterback Donovan McNabb could mean good things for the Redskins tight end. Expect Cooley to start, but Davis to be in the mix. If one is outplayed in the preseason or injured, bump up the other on your cheat sheets.

Was a huge bust after being a second round pick in 2008. He failed to learn the playbook and was frequently out of position. In the end he barely saw the field and only recorded three receptions. He has all the physical tools be to a good receiving tight end but must improve his mental focus. The 'Skins already have a Pro Bowl tight end in Chris Cooley so look for them to use Davis in creative ways.

Drafted in the second round in 2008, Davis will compete for the backup tight end job behind Chris Cooley. Davis has good hands and was rated the top college tight end in 2007. Its unclear exactly how he will fit into the 'Skins offense in 2008 with Cooley at the top of the depth chart.