Fred

Davis

“It wasn’t anything that we didn’t see before [in practice],” Shanahan said. “He took advantage of an opportunity showing people in the NFL that he belongs. He can make big plays.” Chris Cooley (knee) recently revealed that he’s pushing against doctors’ expectations by playing in September. Davis’ increased snaps are likely to carry over to this week’s game against the Cardinals.

The Redskins lined up in multiple tight end sets on nearly 80 percent of their plays in Week 1. “What a couple of tight ends enable you to do is present a different package to the defense,” Shanahan said. The Redskins appear to finally see how effective Davis can be as a pass-catcher and will get him on the field despite Chris Cooley’s health.

On third downs, Davis was the primary tight end lined up with three receivers. The usage pattern was similar at the goal-line, with Davis on the field while Cooley stood on the sideline for all three offensive touchdowns. It’s possible that Cooley is simply being eased back in from a balky knee. For the time being, though, Davis is the featured tight end in this offense. Pick him up off the waiver wire in all leagues.

Once Santana Moss (hand) went down, Davis functioned as the No. 1 receiver. He showed his athleticism by going low for his 7-yard touchdown catch and consistently was open on the outside. Davis now has 12 catches for 175 yards in the last two weeks, with the vast majority of receptions coming from new starter John Beck. Consider Davis a solid TE1 with upside going forward.

The Post also reports that free agent SS LaRon Landry is “not being considered” for the tag. The tight end franchise tag is one of the cheapest around at just over $5 million. The Skins and Davis could work toward a long-term arrangement after he plays under the tag in 2012. For now, Davis is a risky commitment because he was suspended for the final four games of 2011.

One of the likelier franchise players to play the 2012 season under his one-year tag, Davis set career highs in receptions (59) and yards (796) last year while scoring three touchdowns despite missing the final four games due to a suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Davis, 26, will be eligible to play all 16 games in 2012. While the Redskins may upgrade their wide receiver corps this offseason, Davis will remain a top-eight tight end target in fantasy leagues. He often plays in the slot and out wide, and is one of the top pass catchers at his position in the NFL.

The Redskins apparently still believe Landry “has the ability to be one of the most impactful defensive players in the league” when healthy. Landry has yet to resume running since undergoing platelet rich plasma and stem-cell treatments on his troublesome Achilles, but says he’s “encouraged” by his recent progress, and believes he can return to full strength in 2012. Landry would be guaranteed $6.2 million under the franchise tag. The Post still considers free agent TE Fred Davis a more likely candidate to be tagged, and we strongly agree.

Teams cannot apply both the transition and franchise tags in the same year, so the Redskins can’t use the other one on SS LaRon Landry. The transition tag takes into account the top ten salaries at a player’s respective position as opposed to the top five under the franchise tag. The last NFL player to receive the transition tag was OT Max Starks back in 2008.

“We franchised Fred because he was our most valuable free agent,’' Allen said. ''We couldn’t get a deal done.’' Davis, 26, was the Redskins’ most consistent playmaker on offense last year. Under the franchise tag, Davis will make $5.5 million this season.

If Davis builds on his breakout 2011 and stays out of trouble, he’ll be in for a much bigger payday next offseason. The lone playmaker in Mike Shanahan’s offense last season, Davis can expect week-to-week inconsistency with a rookie under center in 2012. Still just 26, Davis does provide 1,000-yard upside in Dynasty leagues, however. Although Chris Cooley remains on the roster, Davis will be the primary pass-catching tight end.