49ers: 3 players whose careers took off after leaving San Francisco
No. 1: The No. 2 49ers Tight End, Delanie Walker
In the 2006 NFL Draft, the 49ers used their sixth-round (175th overall) pick to select tight end Delanie Walker, out of Central Missouri State.
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In his first few seasons with the 49ers, Walker did a little bit of everything. He lined up at tight end, fullback and even returned kicks. He was a “Swiss Army knife” of sorts for the team. But as far as his natural position of tight end went, he sat behind the uber-athletic Vernon Davis who was a lock at the starting spot.
After seven seasons with the 49ers, Walker tried his hand at free agency in 2013 and signed a four-year deal with the Tennesee Titans. There he was given the chance to be the No. 1 tight end.
In 2015, Walker had his first 1,000-plus yard season. He had 94 receptions for 1,088 yards (a career best) and six touchdowns. He also earned his first Pro Bowl selection. He would go on to earn Pro Bowl selections in 2016 and 2017 as well.
Walker was an example of a player who did everything right and showed a lot of promise early on. But he was relegated to being a backup to a first-round pick who happened to come into the league at the same time as him.
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It is safe to say that had Davis not been on the 49ers during Walker’s tenure, he very well could’ve earned the starting tight end spot. Again another big “What If” in 49ers history.