Each year, we run a series of post called "90-in-90" here at Niners Nation. The idea is that we'll take a look at every single player on the roster, from the very bottom to the top and break them down a few different ways. This is to help give everyone a basic understanding of a roster. Of course, this roster will change, and some days we'll have more than one so it's not strictly one per day but you get the idea.
The San Francisco 49ers turned over their secondary this offseason, moving Jimmie Ward to free safety, and releasing Tramaine Brock. Last year’s nickel back, Rashard Robinson is moving into the starting lineup on one side of the ball. The primary competition on the other side has been rookie Ahkello Witherspoon, and veterans Keith Reaser and Dontae Johnson.
On June 1, the 49ers added some veteran competition to the mix. The team signed Will Davis, who has four seasons under his belt. Davis was originally drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. In two years with Miami, he appeared in 15 games and registered 20 tackles and three passes defensed in addition to five tackles on special teams.
After spending the first two games of the 2015 season with Miami, he was traded to the Baltimore Ravens on September 21, 2015 for a 2016 seventh round pick. Three games into his Ravens career, he tore his ACL and was lost for the season. He returned in 2016, but only saw three games worth of action before being waived on November 4, 2016.
Basic info
Age: 27
Experience: 4 accrued seasons
Height: 5’11
Weight: 180 lbs
Cap status
Signed one-year deal for league minimum base salary of $775,000. He receives the minimum salary benefit, which means his cap hit is $615,000.
What to expect in 2017
Davis appeared in ten games in 2014, but otherwise has not had a season with double digit games played. Our friends at Baltimore Beatdown had these quick thoughts on him when I inquired after the signing.
He played either one or two games, and flashed potential. Quick, agile, and performed well as a CB2 on a very injury riddled Ravens secondary. He became injured in a pass deflected near the sideline, tearing his ACL.
I watched him in camp last season. Most often, he practiced with the second team. I remember him intercepting a pass, and a couple of good passes defensed. He ultimately couldn't see the playing field though.
Given his late arrival, he would seem to be playing for a reserve and special teams role. He’s got a lot of ground to make up, having joined the team late in the offseason workout program. There are cornerback spots to be had, and if he earns a spot, extensive rotation is not entirely out of the question. If he makes the roster, it would primarily be in a reserve role with a lot of special teams work.
Odds of making the roster
He’s not a long-shot given his NFL experience, but I would put him on the weak bubble side of the cornerback depth chart. He’s going to need to show a lot in training camp without much tape over the past two seasons. I’d say he’s in the 25-45 percent range for a roster spot, give or take.