NY Jets: Trading for Vernon Davis makes so much sense

Vernon Davis is reportedly on the trading block and the NY Jets have a need at tight end, a trade with the San Francisco 49ers makes so much sense.

The NY Jets are 3-1 and control their own destiny a quarter of the way through the season. This team seems to have the right balance of strong defensive play and a manageable offense that has big play potential. But with the injuries that have ravaged the tight end position, the Jets could use an upgrade.

Insider Buzz: Multiple teams interested in trading for 49ers TE Vernon Davis http://t.co/nh6jts11po pic.twitter.com/bDOKoi0NoN

— Bleacher Report NFL (@BR_NFL) October 14, 2015

That upgrade could come via trade for the Jets as they look to improve their depth chart at tight end. Currently, the Jets have a on and off concussed Jeff Cumberland, a former 2nd round pick in Jace Amaro on IR for the season and a career backup blocking tight end in Kellen Davis. So why not bring in a Pro Bowl talent in Davis if the price is right?

Davis is in his contract year with the San Francisco 49ers and the team appears destined for a top-10 pick in next year’s draft. The rumor mill is churning and why shouldn’t it be? The 49ers need to rebuild the rest of their roster that is in dire need of improvement.

Sep 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis (85) carries the ball as Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Antwon Blake (L) defends during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 43-18. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Davis has had an up and down career and recently it seems that age, his contract and a decline in play have lowered his trade value on the open market. Davis has accumulated over 430 receptions for 5,500+ yards and 73 touchdowns throughout his career, but over the last 5 seasons he’s definitely seen a drop-off.

"2011: 67 catches 792 yards and 6 touchdowns 2012: 41 catches 548 yards and 5 touchdowns 2013: 52 catches 850 yards and 13 touchdowns 2014: 26 catches 245 yards and 2 touchdowns 2015: 8 catches 109 yards and 0 touchdowns"

I think Davis still has a lot to offer to a respective team and in this particular case, a lot to offer the Jets. The best year of his career was in 2009 in terms of statistics, but I think 2013 was one of his most efficient years. Un-coincidentally that happened to be the year that the 49ers reached the Super Bowl.

So what have the Jets’ tight ends done this season?

"Jeff Cumberland: 2 catches for 10 yards Kellen Davis: no recordable stats : no recordable stats Wes Saxton Jace Amaro: didn’t play a down this season"

Safe to say the Jets’ tight ends have been ineffective in terms of making plays in this Chan Gailey offense. Amaro was supposed to be in a H-back role where he could come out the backfield and be a mismatch nightmare for opposing defenses, but that didn’t happen. Cumberland was supposed to have a coming out party of sorts, but has been sidelined with injuries and reserved to blocking duties. So ultimately what would it take?

Nov 24, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; New York Jets tight end Jeff Cumberland (85) against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Well, I think if the 49ers they don’t get the right offer, they would rather keep him and just acquire whatever compensatory picks would come their way via the NFL in the following off-season. So the Jets may need some Mike Maccagnan magic in terms of conditional future picks to entice the 49ers. Maybe a conditional 5th or 6th round pick would be enough for the 49ers to bite, I mea,n it was enough for the Chicago Bears to bite on the Brandon Marshall deal.

What could it do for this Jets’ offense? It could provide a reliable safety blanket in the middle of the field for Ryan Fitzpatrick. It could also open up the seam which would make defenses think twice about double-teaming Marshall. The tight end position has been ineffective for the Jets this season, maybe it’s time we give not only Fitzpatrick a toy to play with on offense, but another weapon for Gailey to scheme with and make opposing defenses sleep a little less at night.

Next: NY Jets: Predictions for a big win in Week 6

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