Free-agent tight end Delanie Walker announced his retirement from professional football on Tuesday. "To be able to retire with the Titans means a lot because I feel like those were my best years," Walker said. The 38-year-old originally was drafted in the sixth round in 2006 by the San Francisco 49ers out of Central Missouri State. He last played in 2019 with the Tennessee Titans, catching 21 of 31 targets for 215 yards and two touchdowns in seven games (four starts). Walker spent the first seven years of his career in San Fran before joining Tennessee for seven more seasons. His best stretch came in 2015-17, when he made three straight Pro Bowls. Walker finishes his 14-year career with 504 receptions, 5,888 yards and 36 touchdowns in 183 regular season games.
Free-agent tight end Delanie Walker is scheduled to work out for the San Francisco 49ers on Wednesday, according to a source. Walker played for the 49ers from 2006 to 2012. The 36-year-old veteran opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19, but he planned to return for the 2021 season all along. He was initially drafted by San Francisco in the sixth round in 2006 out of Central Missouri State and caught 123 of his 214 targets for 1,465 yards and eight touchdowns in his seven seasons with the team before spending seven more seasons with the Tennessee Titans, where he was named to three straight Pro Bowls from 2015-17. Walker obviously is no longer in the prime of his career and is an injury concern, and George Kittle is the undisputed No. 1 pass-catching tight end for the Niners. However, Walker could provide some veteran depth and leadership if he were to return to the team that drafted him.
Former Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker, who took off last season due to COVID-19 and to get 100 percent healthy, intends to play again in 2021, according to a source. Walker, a three-time Pro Bowler with Tennessee from 2015-17, played in just eight combined games due to injury in 2018 and 2019. In his most recent season in 2019, the 36-year-old veteran had 21 catches on 31 targets for 215 yards and just two touchdowns in seven games (four starts). Smith had a 1,000-yard receiving season in 2015 and had four straight campaigns with at least 800 yards receiving, but he hasn't been healthy in years and is ancient for an NFL tight end. He could command some interest on the open market, but it remains to be seen if he'll have a shot to regain some fantasy relevance.
Colts, Packers, Redskins Interested In Delanie Walker
The Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins have shown interest in free-agent tight end Delanie Walker, according to a source. Walker was released by the Titans recently after spending the last seven seasons of his career in Tennessee. His market might not move very fast considering he's 35 years old and has played in just eight games the last two season (only one in 2018) due to injury, but Walker remained productive into his 30s when he was on the field for the Titans. Depending on where he lands, Walker could have low-end TE1 appeal. The Colts already have Jack Doyle, so they would probably be the worst fit from a fantasy perspective of these three teams. The Packers and Redskins have more of a glaring need at the position.
The Tennessee Titans released tight end Delanie Walker on Friday. This doesn't come as a huge surprise, as the 35-year-old has played in a combined eight games the last two seasons for the Titans due to injuries. The three-time Pro Bowler could still offer something to an organization, but it remains to be seen if he'll continue his playing career. With Walker out of the picture in Tennessee, Jonnu Smith is now the unquestioned top pass-catching tight end, which will give him some modest TE1 appeal going into 2020. The Titans continue to shed the fat in order to give them more salary cap space so that they can re-sign both quarterback Ryan Tannehill and running back Derrick Henry.
Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker could be a salary cap casualty this offseason. Walker, who will be 36 in 2020, has played in just eight games the last two seasons due to injuries for Tennessee and has just 25 receptions for 267 yards and two touchdowns in that span, could be nearing the end of his time in Nashville. Walker has spent the last seven seasons of his career with the Titans and has one 1,000-yard season and many productive years as one of their top pass-catchers. However, with Jonnu Smith emerging behind him the last two years as a legitimate receiver at the position, the Titans could find it attractive to cut Walker and clear $6.4 million more in salary cap space. If healthy, Walker could still be productive, but it'll depend on where he ends up in 2020. If he stays in Tennessee, he could start losing valuable snaps to Smith.
The Tennessee Titans placed tight end Delanie Walker (ankle) on season-ending Injured Reserve on Wednesday and signed kicker Ryan Santoso to the active roster in a corresponding move. The veteran Walker ended up playing only seven games this year due to issues with his surgically repaired ankle. He finished with 21 catches for 215 yards and two touchdowns, and at this point in his career it's fair to wonder how much he has left if he can't stay on the field consistently. In his absence, the Titans will continue to lean on Jonnu Smith, MyCole Pruitt and Anthony Firkser, with Smith being the only fantasy relevant player as a low-end TE1. You can now safely drop Walker in redraft leagues.
Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker, who has missed the last three games with an ankle injury, is listed as questionable for the Titans Week 12 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Should Walker suit up, expect him to be on a limited snap count with Jonnu Smith still functioning as the team's primary pass-catching tight end. If Walker sits, Smith moves back into the low-end TE1 streaming range. Neither would be enticing options if Walker returns this week, however.
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis (hip) and tight end Delanie Walker (ankle) were both back at practice on Wednesday coming out of the bye week. It's a good sign for both, but neither player is guaranteed to return in Week 12 against the Jaguars. In Tennessee's run-first offense, it's also hard to trust any one receiver with quarterback Ryan Tannehill under center. Davis is more of a WR4/5 if he plays, while Walker would be a streaming TE2 at risk of having his snaps limited since he hasn't played since Oct. 13. Jonnu Smith's fantasy upside would take a big hit if Walker were to return this weekend.
Corey Davis, Delanie Walker Not Practicing Thursday
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis (hip) and tight end Delanie Walker (ankle) both remained out of practice for the second straight day on Thursday. Walker is not expected to suit up in Week 10 against the Chiefs, while Davis is now becoming very questionable himself. The Titans might need to air it out to play keep-up with the Chiefs this weekend, so Davis and A.J. Brown have the opportunity to exceed expectations this Sunday. If Davis can't go, Tajae Sharpe would enter three-wide sets with Brown and Adam Humphries. Jonnu Smith will remain on the TE1/2 borderline as long as Walker remains sidelined, which could be for another week or two.
