The Facts: After averaging more than 16 yards a catch in 2013, Davis averaged a career-low 9.4 yards per reception last year. His longest catch last season -- 29 yards -- also was the most modest "long" of his nine-year career. "Whenever I'd run, like, my deep over routes there was a safety sitting over there already," Davis said. "It was just game planning. And nothing really ever opened up. But I wasn't really ever a factor in the offense last year. ... The first game, yeah. But the second game, the tight ends (weren't) really involved as a whole."
Diehards Line:
Davis had the worst season of his career last year, one in which he missed two games due to injury and caught only two touchdown passes. Both came in a Week 1 win over Dallas. The down-field catches that had been the staple of his career all but vanished as well. After tinkering with multiple wide-receiver sets throughout the 2014, the 49ers are returning to more traditional looks this year. There will be an emphasis on the running game. And tight ends again will have a major role. Whether that translates into a rebound for Davis remains to be seen. Nobody should bet significant draft capital on it, however.