Delanie Walker

It's remarkable that the Niners never unlocked Walker during his seven years there, because he instantly became a fantasy staple when the Titans signed him for his age-29 season. Walker busted out with a TE11 showing that year, then followed it up with four dandies (TE8, TE5, TE5, TE7). Good health was generally part of the story, as he missed just eight games from 2007 to 2017. The medical file got messy in 2018, as Walker broke his ankle on opening day and never played again. Spring rehab reports have been tempered in tone, which is to be expected with someone entering his age-35 season. Given the severity of the injury and Walker's mileage, he may be limited in training camp even after he avoided the PUP list. That said, the Tennessee wideout group is ordinary even after some offseason upgrades, and at least Walker's 2018 injury happened in the first week of the year - he'll have time to get right before the new season begins.

It's a shame Walker wasted seven years with the 49ers, because he's been fantasy gold since landing with the Titans in 2013. Consider his end-of-season ranks at the position, using half-point per reception scoring: TE11, TE8, TE4, TE5, TE6. It seems like the Titans are always talking up some other part of their offense at the beginning of the year, but it's Walker that provides the steady drumbeat. On the downside, Walker is entering his age-34 season, his YPC and touchdown count took a nosedive in 2017, and the team has big plans for second-year WR Corey Davis, the fifth overall pick in last year's draft. A lot of fantasy players and pundits feel it's better to be a year early than a year late when it comes to a declining player, and you could apply that maxim to Walker. Tennessee also has to rebuild the confidence of QB Marcus Mariota, who was dreadful for much of 2017. And a new coaching staff in town puts everything in flux, even if offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur ultimately figures to be a boon to the passing game. In previous years, we were proactive with our Walker selections. This year, we prefer a reactive stance.

Walker spent seven ordinary years in San Francisco and was never a featured player, but he's become a legitimate star in his four Tennessee campaigns. Walker's checked in as a top-eight tight end in the last three years, including a tidy No. 5 finish last year. He's also played in 60 of 64 games, estimable work for someone at this smack-em-up position. Walker's standing last year was more of a reflection of the other tight ends at the position - he lost 31 targets and 288 yards from his 2015 career year. But no one is going to say no to a 65-800-7 haul at this tricky position. Walker turns 33 in August and the Titans brought in a high-priced rookie WR in Corey Davis; there's even more mouths to feed on the 2017 offense. His consistency and durability keep him in a lofty spot on our board, but we can at least accept the argument that he's entering the dangerous part of his career. Would you rather be a year early or a year late?

Walker's franchise-record 94 catches led tight ends last season, and he bested his franchise mark for receiving yards by a TE by nearly 200 thanks to two main factors that can be summed in one - Marcus Mariota. First, Walker improved his catch rate by more than 11 points, finishing at 70.6 percent with the help of Mariotat accuracy on intermediate throws. In 2014, Titans as completed 50.8 percent of throws of 11-20 yards. Mariota completed 61.5 percent, with Walker jumping from a catch rate of 51.8 percent (14 of 27) to 76.6 percent (23 of 30) in that range. Second, devoid of playmakers and with an offensive line that allowed a league-high 54 sacks, Mariota looked almost exclusively to dump off the ball to Walker, who had 90 targets - 67.6 percent- of no more than 10 yards. Walker used his elite speed (4.49 40) to blast past linebackers and turn those short passes into big gains, ranking fourth among TE in YAC and fifth with 13 catches of 20-plus yards. His red-zone work, however, was somewhat impacted by his small stature (6-0, 248) as he had four TDs (T-9th) on 15 targets (T-6th). He'll again be Mariota's safety valve, but hell see fewer targets with the addition of Rishard Matthews, development of Dorial Green-Beckham, a healthy Kendall Wright and an improved backfield – plus he lacks TD upside.

Walker set a franchise record last season for receiving yards by a tight end. It could have been much more, too, had he caught more than 59.4 percent of his targets (27th among qualified TE). He finished fifth in targets among tight ends but ninth in receptions. Walker didn't get much help from his quarterbacks, who ranked 27th in completion percentage, instead doing much of his damage himself. He used elite speed (4.49 40) and athleticism to average 6.1 yards after the catch (3rd among TE) en route to 14.1 YPC (2nd) as he totaled 12 receptions of 20-plus yards (4th). But at 6-0, 248, Walker is one of the league's smallest starting tight ends, which makes red-zone work a battle. He had 12 red-zone targets but only four catches and three touchdowns last season. Walker's fortunes this season are likely tied to the development of rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota.

After seven years in San Francisco as Vernon Davis' backup, Walker enjoyed a productive first season in Tennessee as the starter. Despite being undersized at 6-0, 248, Walker proved effective in the red zone with 17 targets, six inside the 10-yard line. But while Walker had career numbers on 86 targets (12th among TE) he averaged only 9.5 yards per catch (27th among qualified TE) and 6.6 yards per target (30th). Much of that had to do with an uninspiring Titans passing offense and injuries to quarterback Jake Locker, who played just seven games. New head coach Ken Whisenhunt's offense is expected to be more tight end-friendly this season, which could make Walker more efficient. A healthy Locker -- he's never played more than 11 games in a season -- would be a plus, too. Walker also has little competition for tight-end targets, as Craig Stevens is more of a blocking tight end.

Primarily a receiving specialist due to his lack of size, Walker caught nine passes of 20-plus yards on only 39 targets. Walker struggled with drops, though, leading qualified receivers in drops-per-target with eight. Nonetheless, he's the top tight end in Tennessee this season after signing a four-year deal. The Titans did not use the departed Jared Cook in a traditional tight-end role last season, often splitting him out wide. Perhaps that bodes well for Walker’s prospects as he was best used running the wheel route out of the backfield with the 49ers. Ultimately, Walker needs better quarterback play than the Titans have seen in recent years to have a major impact.

Undersized for a tight end at 6-0, Walker has done a nice job since converting from wide receiver. He fit the role of backup quite well, grabbing 29 catches for 331 yards last season. It would take an injury for him to deserve fantasy consideration, but Vernon Davis hasn’t missed a game the last three years.

Walker managed to catch 21 passes for 233 yards during the 2009 season as Vernon Davis' backup, and is a pretty decent receiving threat for a backup tight end. Barring injury to Davis, don't expect Walker to top his 2009 numbers.

Walker will back-up Vernon Davis at tight end and see time on special teams as a kick returner.

Walker is slated as the backup TE for the 49ers, however, may provide some fantasy value as a backup fantasy TE.

Battling Billy Bajema and Zach Hilton to be the backup tight end behind Vernon Davis.

Selected in the sixth round of this year's draft. May see some time at wide receiver, tight end and F-Back, but won't produce nearly enough to warrant a spot on a fantasy squad.