49ers sign QB Nate Davis to 4-year deal; waive S Lewis Baker

by David Fucillo on Jul 24, 2009 2:33 PM PDT in San Francisco 49ers News

The 49ers announced today that they have signed their 5th round draft choice, Ball State QB Nate Davis, to a four year contract. That signing brings to five the number of picks to sign. All that's left are WR Michael Crabtree and RB Glen Coffee, the two highest draft choices. We'll have some more later to say about Davis and the signing, but for now, a quick reminder on Davis's background from the 49ers.

Davis (6-2, 217) was a two-time MAC Conference Offensive Player of the Year (2007-08), becoming the first player in school history to throw for 3,000 yards in back-to-back seasons. He was a finalist for the 2008 Manning Award, given annually to the nation’s top passer, throwing for 3,591 yards and 26 touchdowns, while running for 312 yards and five touchdowns.

In his career, Davis set school career records for touchdown passes (74), passing yards (9,233), passing attempts (1,124), pass completions (678), 250-yard passing games (20) and 300-yard passing games (9). His 74 career touchdown passes rank fifth in MAC history behind Chad Pennington and Ben Roethlisberger. Davis also compiled 499 rushing yards for 10 TDs while at Ball State.

Davis had a career year in 2007, being named the team’s MVP after throwing for 3,667 yards and 30 touchdowns. He finished second in the MAC and 15th nationally, averaging 300.3 yards of total offense per game. As a true freshman in 2006, he ranked fifth among MAC freshmen all-time as he threw for 1,975 yards and tied the school record with 18 touchdown passes in a single season.

As the title of this post indicates, safety Lewis Baker was waived. Baker never really had a shot at a roster spot so it's not exactly a shocking transaction. One less "camp body."

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So Nate Davis

is going to be around for 4 seasons. I think this a good length to have Davis around for, it will give him plenty of time to learn. No rush, and maybe if Hill proves to be a QB that can take us to the playoffs, Davis won’t necessarily be ready in 2010, and Hill certainly isn’t much value beyond 2010 (or is he?).

Either way, I like that Nate Davis will very likely be QB3 on the 49ers depth chart for 2009, and 2010 (both Smith and Hill are under contract as well). Gives him plenty of time to learn and develop.

by Andrew Davidson on Jul 24, 2009 2:51 PM PDT reply actions

I think three- or four-year contracts are pretty standard for mid-/late-round picks. Since the contracts aren’t guaranteed, it gives the team long-term control over cheap talent without having to worry about much risk. For all we really know, he isn’t on the roster past this year. Though I’d be very surprised if that ended up being the case.

My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.

by howtheyscored on Jul 25, 2009 10:49 PM PDT up reply actions