4:12pm: The actual deal has the 49ers trading Davis and a 2016 seventh-round choice to the Broncos in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2016 and a sixth-round choice in 2017, Schefter tweets.
4:09pm: The Broncos have acquired Vernon Davis from the 49ers, as Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. In the last year of his deal, the Broncos will owe Davis ~$2.3MM in salary plus $225K in per-game roster bonuses.
Suddenly, Davis has gone from playing for a 2-6 team at the bottom of the NFC West to a Broncos squad that is 7-0 after polishing off the Packers last night. Strangely enough, the Peyton Manning-led Broncos are actually undefeated in spite of their offense. Many have theorized that Manning has been missing a quality safety blanket option underneath, a role that was expected to be filled by Owen Daniels. Now, Manning has one of the game’s top offensive tight ends to work with and things could turn around quickly for Denver’s offense. In short, one of the league’s scariest teams just got even scarier. 
So far in 2015, Davis has appeared in six games, hauling in a total of 18 receptions and 194 yards. In his two outings, however, Davis has caught a total of 10 passes for 85 yards, no small feat given the difficulties that the 49ers have had on offense. The two-time Pro Bowler arguably enjoyed his best season in 2009 when he caught 78 passes for 965 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also shined in 2013 when he recorded 52 passes for 850 yards and 13 scores.
Davis has had his fair share of ups-and-downs in San Francisco, including a bit of off-the-field trouble. Most recently, Davis was said to have gotten into an altercation with teammate Joe Staley, though the tight end mostly denied that taking place.
“I don’t recall that,” Davis said of the report which alleged that the two got into fisticuffs during an argument concerning quarterback Colin Kaepernick. “I don’t know where that’s coming from. It’s funny to me. He’s been like a brother to me… We’ve had arguments in the past. My first year, I remember, I came here and we got into it. We got into right then and seconds later we were hanging out, laughing and drinking sodas together.”
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Wow! Saw this and my eyes instantly went wide. The Mile High city is getting a big offensive boost
Hell yes !!! Wish they had done that before the bye week.
Hmm I still wanted a breakout game from Virgil Green. Saw flashes last night.
Hope he does good
Great trade for the Broncos, altough Daniels looked rather spry last night. And I guess the Niners are officially in total tear-down mode. My oh my how quickly your fate turns in the NFL.
Davis will represent an upgrade over Daniels and Virgil Green, and John Elway showed good judgment not letting a decent night from Daniels get in the way of upgrading at the position. That said, Davis has not been close to the weapon he was the past two seasons. So while moving from a Colin Kaepernick-guided offense to one directed by Manning will help, Davis’ profile kind of resembles fellow 2006 rookie Daniels’, with his best years coming a few seasons back. But this last half-season will be the best chance Davis has to book a final contract, so motivation won’t be an issue.
Also, the 49ers got a good return for a player who was not going to return and one that had not factored in prominently to their team in some time. San Francisco continues to load up on picks, having 10+ selections in both ’16 and ’17 now. Good ammunition for tradeups for a team that will need an infusion of young talent.