As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Davis Allen.
Check out all of our 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports & Prospect Profiles 
2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Davis Allen (TE – Clemson)
6’6″ – 250 lbs.
Background:
Four-star recruit who mostly functioned as a blocker in his freshman year (5-53-0), then started to take on a bigger receiving role the following year, finishing with 16-247-4 (15.4). Went 28-208-3 (7.4) as a junior and has made his senior season his best yet, with a line of 39-443-5 (11.4) on 51 targets.
Positives:
Tall with long limbs and a frame to handle additional bulk. Was asked to do a little bit of everything in school. Takes snaps as an inline blocker, as an H-Back, and (usually on passing downs) split out wide, sometimes coming in motion. Good blocker who bends at the knees, plays from a sufficiently wide base and shows some power in his hands to turn defenders out of the hole. Able to come in motion pre-snap and crack defenders in the hole or climb up to the second level and engage. Has enough short-area quickness to handle gap shooters. Keeps his feet moving after contact and works hard to sustain blocks through the whistle; grip strength is above average. Shows a solid anchor when retained in pass protection, although he’s typically running routes. Has a reliable pair of hands and flashes the ability to snatch the ball away from his frame; only dropped one pass in each of the past three seasons. Shows above-average body control and the ability to high-point throws. Came down with 11/12 contested catches this past year.
Negatives:
Still a little bit on the thin side. Not the most dynamic player in the passing game; more of a safety valve. Route tree primarily consists of hitches (when split out wide) and releases into the flats (sometimes on a delayed release, sometimes from motion); many longer routes are complementary clearing patterns for throws to other receivers. Balance is closer to adequate. Not particularly dynamic after the catch; would like to see him run over some of the cornerbacks he gets on an island when split out wide.
Summary:
A solid blocker who executed a lot of different assignments from different alignments and who presents his quarterback with a big target and reliable pair of hands underneath. Might need to add a little bit of bulk and functional strength at the pro level, but has a very translatable skillset and looks like a safe pick, especially for a team looking to play smashmouth football.
Projection: Round 4
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