The Buffalo Bills chose not to extend Gabe Davis, allowing him to hit free agency. Certain to be with a new team, is there any landing spot where Davis could turn into a reliable fantasy football asset?
Potential Landing Spots for Gabe Davis
Davis Gives Jared Goff, Lions a Field-Stretcher Opposite Amon-Ra St. Brown
The Detroit Lions have become one of the most potent offenses in football. Jared Goff may not be thought about as the type of quarterback who can lead an explosive offense, but he’s now done it with two teams.
As great as the Lions offense is, though, they still have a void at WR2. Amon-Ra St. Brown is a true alpha target hog. Sam LaPorta is the next great tight end. Jahmyr Gibbs is quite effective in the passing game. And the Lions have a great offensive line. The only thing the Lions are really missing is a reliable WR2.
When the Lions drafted Jameson Williams, they were expecting it to be him. Unfortunately, after two years, that doesn’t look to be in the cards. Perhaps they bring in Davis to try and be that guy.
It’s difficult to assess the impact of Davis’ arrival because, quite frankly, I don’t think it will change anything. If Davis comes in to be the WR2, he’s likely to be a version of Williams who plays more.
In five seasons, Davis has never been a reliable fantasy asset. He’s capable of splash plays and massive games, but he’s never produced consistently over an extended period. And it’s not like he hasn’t had the chance.
Davis spent the first five years of his career not only playing with Josh Allen but on an offense that lacked a clear WR2. He had every chance to be that guy but just couldn’t. It’s hard to envision that changing in Detroit.
If Davis signs with the Lions, he will remain someone I have no interest in drafting in fantasy and would not serve to negatively impact St. Brown or LaPorta at all.
Chiefs Could Sign Davis To Replace Marquez Valdes-Scantling Opposite Rashee Rice
I don’t think the Kansas City Chiefs would do this. Or perhaps that’s just me wish casting. After all, many of their decisions at wide receiver during Patrick Mahomes‘ tenure at quarterback haven’t made a ton of sense.
The Chiefs replacing Marquez Valdes-Scantling with Davis would be tantamount to re-signing MVS. They’re the same player. Both stretch the field and occasionally make a big play, but neither has proven to be able to perform at a high level consistently.
Much like when MVS left future Hall-of-Famer Aaron Rodgers to join future Hall-of-Famer Mahomes, it’s not as if he was victimized by poor quarterback play. Davis coming from playing with Allen is the same thing.
If the Chiefs sign Davis, that would be good news for Rashee Rice‘s fantasy value, as it would all but guarantee he remains the clear top receiver. While I do think Davis is better than Valdes-Scantling, Mahomes needs a little more to work with if he’s going to return to being a perennial 20-plus-fantasy-points-per-game quarterback.
Davis Would Be a Viable Complement to DJ Moore on the Bears
The previous two sections were admittedly critical of Davis. To be clear, he’s not some awful receiver who shouldn’t have a role on an NFL team. He’s just a more situational deep threat than a guy who should be playing 80% of the snaps.
The Chicago Bears are almost certain to lose Darnell Mooney in free agency. Their remaining options are guys who aren’t even WR3s at the NFL level. They need someone.
Davis could fill that Mooney role to an extent. At the very least, he would provide a presence opposite DJ Moore that opposing defenses need to account for.
Assuming the Bears trade Justin Fields and draft Caleb Williams, it’s still going to be asking a lot for a rookie quarterback to support two fantasy-relevant receivers. The only time this has been done at a high level … ever … is C.J. Stroud with Nico Collins and Tank Dell last season.
I fully believe Williams can keep Moore’s fantasy value high. But is he going to be the guy that turns Davis into a reliable fantasy asset? Doubtful.
Davis would be an every-down starter in two-receiver sets, though. The opportunity would be there. Merely having a clear path to being on the field can get a guy drafted in fantasy.
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With that said, his addition would not serve to hinder Moore’s fantasy value at all, nor would it do much to boost the fantasy values of anyone else on the Bears. Davis would remain a dart-throw WR4 who fantasy managers probably have on the bench when he has his unpredictable spike weeks.