Anthony Davis wanted a clean return to the San Francisco 49ers, but the organization may have other plans for him.
The 49ers are fast becoming one of the most interesting teams to watch going into the 2016 NFL draft. Not only do they have the most picks, which invites plenty of trade speculation given their quarterback questions, but they also now seem intent on unloading certain players in order perhaps to acquire more. The most interesting name is Anthony Davis.
49ers may be looking to trade veterans Anthony Davis and Antoine Bethea https://t.co/yYxZO5js5E
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 11, 2016
"“Via Peter King of TheMMQB.com, there’s plenty of draft-month chatter about the 49ers that doesn’t involve their want-away passer.Specifically, one personnel source said they’re not inclined to trade up from the seventh spot (too many needs, General Manager Trent Baalke doesn’t want to give away picks).But more moves could add to that stockpile, as another source said: “They want to trade Anthony Davis and Antoine Bethea.”That would be interesting, given the veteran right tackle’s cryptic April 1 message about returning to the league after his one-year retirement, with the addendum “Dealing with Trent is giving me a headache“).”"
For those who don’t recall, Davis was the starting right tackle for the 49ers offense line up until last season when he abruptly announced his retirement at the age of 25. The former 1st round pick insisted it was a temporary action with the intent of stepping away from the game to recharge and he hoped to return. That at least has come true as the 6’5″, 323 lbs tackle hopes to resume his post.
It would seem San Francisco has no intentions of letting it be that easy for him. After all, Davis retired after Jim Harbaugh stepped down and Jim Tomsula took over. Now there is another new head coach in Chip Kelly, who has zero connections to Davis as a player or person and may not see him as an ideal fit for his offense. Hence the growing rumors of a trade.
It’s not hard to think there might be a team or two out there interested in dealing for a 26-year old former 1st round pick at right tackle who had a hand in helping a team reach three-straight NFC championships. The tricky part for the 49ers will be whether any of them will pay a fair price, given the serious concerns about whether Davis might walk away again if he doesn’t care for the situation.