Delanie Walker, worth a look?

[LS2throwed]

Ok I've been struggling to find some other TE options in my deeper leagues since Olsen has been a real disappointment, and I think this guy can be a real sleeper this year...First off he's got the Colston thing going for him, he is playing WR but listed at TE for the niners and already outproduced Vernon Davis to this point, he also played wide receiver in college so its nothing new and he has impressed Martz quite a bit since he's been there:

9ers offensive coordinator Mike Martz says TE Delanie Walker "has a real 'wow' factor to him."
"He's such a stickler for detail," said Martz, a detail-oriented person himself. "You talk about some jets and some ability to run and eat up the field. Holy cow." Walker, coming off a quiet 21-catch season, could be tried in the slot with Arnaz Battle and/or Vernon Davis. He's someone to keep an eye on.

49ers offensive coordinator Mike Martz is reportedly considering moving TE Delanie Walker to wide receiver.
Walker would presumably be a slot receiver if he was switched. He played wideout in college, so it shouldn't be a hard transition. Keep an eye on him.

Now first off any guy who plays WR and is listed at TE is worth a gamble, also he's got the Martz slot WR thing going for him which is going to result in some targets, and now the news Bryant Johnson is tweaking his hammy again, I think it opens the door for some production again(3 catches, 44 yards and a TD last week)...I don't know if he could take off or not, and I have to admit I haven't caught a niners game to see how he looks or how he's used, but I'm taking the flier on him this week since Bryant Johnson looks to miss and maybe he turns into something.

[SteelerBlitz]

Should I drop V. Davis and plug in Walker? Seriously what do you think...

[LS2throwed]

I personally think Walker has a good chance of out producing Davis just because he gets alot of snaps as a slot WR, I don't think it hurts to drop Davis for him, he's been dropped in a few leagues I'm in right now already, and there is a good chance he'll still be there if you want to grab him later.

[Kensat30]

Walker is a talented player, but that doesn't change the fact that he is a TE2. He just isn't on the field enough to be a consistent TE option. Similar to Greg Olsen with Desmond Clark. Jeff King and Dante Rosario. David Martin and Anthony Fasano. There can be some good games out of talented TE2s, but in the end do you want to start a maybe each week?

That is why an underwhelming guy like Chris Cooley is a top5 TE. He has ZERO competition for playing time at the TE position. And even if he isn't the most talented guy in the world, he is good enough and most importantly he is consistent.

[Kareighuis]

Walker is a talented player, but that doesn't change the fact that he is a TE2. He just isn't on the field enough to be a consistent TE option. Similar to Greg Olsen with Desmond Clark. Jeff King and Dante Rosario. David Martin and Anthony Fasano. There can be some good games out of talented TE2s, but in the end do you want to start a maybe each week?

That is why an underwhelming guy like Chris Cooley is a top5 TE. He has ZERO competition for playing time at the TE position. And even if he isn't the most talented guy in the world, he is good enough and most importantly he is consistent.

All that's true- except in one of my leagues, where starting 3 WRs 1 TE and a W/T flex has drained the quality players of both types. Walker's someone I'm watching now. Thanks, LS2.

[LS2throwed]

Walker is a talented player, but that doesn't change the fact that he is a TE2. He just isn't on the field enough to be a consistent TE option. Similar to Greg Olsen with Desmond Clark. Jeff King and Dante Rosario. David Martin and Anthony Fasano. There can be some good games out of talented TE2s, but in the end do you want to start a maybe each week?

That is why an underwhelming guy like Chris Cooley is a top5 TE. He has ZERO competition for playing time at the TE position. And even if he isn't the most talented guy in the world, he is good enough and most importantly he is consistent.

Actually I don't think its anything like those situations, Walker has been playing snaps as a slot WR, if he continues to play well he may be listed as a TE2 but unlike those other guys his targets as a slot WR in a Martz offense will be alot higher then a traditional TE2...Vernon Davis has been going games without mustering a catch or having much involvment at all, so I'm not looking at this guy as a TE who is sharing time with Davis, with their WR issues he's someone to watch because he should be alot more active then those guys you listed.

[smackthefirst]

I agree that Walker is worth a look. Martz has been intrigued by him since he came to SF and has been looking for ways to get him involved. Last week, Walker lined up in the slot a few plays as well as lined up as the FB a few plays. If situations like this continue to be created by Martz, then you could see Walker start to outproduce Davis even though Walker is technically 2TE.

And don't forget to take into account the fact that Morgan is out with an "illness" and Johnson has a bum hammy right now. Those two injuries could open the door for Walker to be used more in the slot this week. As long as he produces again, I think Martz will continue to figure out ways to get him the ball. And we all know how slot WRs in Martz's system can produce.

I think he's worth a gamble in deeper leagues or if you have an open roster spot.

[moochman]

Don't forget the Mad Martz Ego Trip factor. He loves to have an unknown receiver bust out. In Detroit he had Roy Williams and Mike Furrey led the team in recptions, last season they added Calvin Johnson and McDonald led the team. I think it would satify his ego if he could have a guy like Walker turn into a 9er nugget. A word of caution though: They don't play the Lions TE friendly D anymore.