Clemson football’s Davis Allen was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft on Saturday. He was the No. 175 overall pick.
Pre-draft rankings had Allen as high as the No. 7 tight end to as low as No. 15.
Allen is just the third tight end to be drafted in Clemson coach Dabo Swinney’s 15 years as the Tigers’ head coach and the first since Jordan Leggett was tabbed by the Jets in the fifth round of the 2017 draft.
Allen met with all 32 teams at the Senior Bowl, then performed well at Clemson’s Pro Day, clocking a 4.78 40-yard dash and a 38.5 vertical jump that ranked as the second-best effort.
An All-ACC Academic Team selection who earned third-team All-ACC honors in 2022, Allen was consistently productive throughout his college career and his 12 career touchdown receptions are tied for second all-time among Clemson tight ends.
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The positives
There’s plenty to like about Allen, beginning with his size. He’s 6-foot-6 and adept at high-pointing the ball.
“Allen is a human vacuum, using instinctive body positioning, mid-air adjustment and exceptional catch focus for consistent 50/50 wins,” said Lance Zierlein, an analyst for NFL.com. “His ball skills are rare for his position.”
The concerns
As with most tight ends transitioning from college to the NFL, Allen doesn’t rank as an overpowering blocker.
“The blocking technique is good,” Zielein said. “But the size and strength are just OK by NFL standards for in-line tight ends.”
Zierlein adds that Allen lacks ideal mass “near the point of attack,” and has “below average pop in his pads as a lead blocker.”
Final thoughts
Allen will impress immediately with his consistency as a receiver and should enhance his value and clinch a roster spot by proving to be a productive contributor on special teams.
“I’ll do whatever it takes just to help the team win,” Allen said. “And I hope my film shows that I can effective in both the passing and the run game. As long as I get my foot in the door, that’s what I’m looking for.”
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