From now until the 2023 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way down to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents. Today, I will be profiling Clemson tight end Davis Allen.
#84 Davis Allen, TE, Clemson (SR) — 6057, 245 lbs.
Combine/Pro Day Measurements
| Player | Ht/Wt | Hand Size | Arm Length | Wingspan |
| Davis Allen | 6’5 7/8”/245 | 10 | 32 1/4 | N/A |
| 40-Yard Dash | 10-Yard Dash | Short Shuttle | 3-Cone | |
| 4.84 | 1.60 | N/A | N/A | |
| Broad Jump | Vertical | Bench Press | ||
| 10’5” | 38.5” | N/A |
The Good
— Good size, lean frame with room to add bulk
— Solid versus zone coverage, finding openings
— Nice timing on delayed-release routes
— Good hands; can go up and make the tough catch
— Good technique, effort and understanding of inline blocks
— Solid in pass protection on players off the edge
— Timing and breakdown of blocks in space
— Core special-teams player
The Bad
— Lacks acceleration off the line of scrimmage
— Late getting his head around on balls due to getting to break point late
— Does not stress defenders at all in man coverage
— Doesn’t have a consistent way to create space
— Creates very little after the catch; poor at breaking tackles
— Tentative on lead/slide blocks
Bio
— 2022: 39 receptions, 443 yards, 11.4 YPR, 5 TD
— Career: 88 receptions, 951 yards, 10.8 YPR, 12 TD
— 54 games, 25 starts
— Team Captain
— Senior Bowl Invitee
— Third-team All-ACC
— All-ACC academic team selection
— Core special-teams player
— Earned Marketing degree in December 2022
— Birthday 2/3/2001 (age 22)
Tape Breakdown
Davis Allen is not a name I have heard talked about a lot in this deep tight end class. He has good size on a lean frame with solid arm length. Clemson used him all over the offense, including inline, on the wing, in the slot and outside.
In the passing game, he was used on all levels, running most of the route tree. Against zone coverage, he was solid finding the gaps between defenders. Against man coverage he was solid with his hands to avoid jams. On delayed routes (block and release) he showed good timing to let the defenders clear the area. He has good hands catching away from his body and adjusting to the ball. On sideline balls, he displays good awareness to get his feet down.
The hands are good, and he can go up to make the catch. The timing on the delay route is perfect to get him open downfield.
Up the seam, he shows off his hands on this quick throw.
Running the up-and-out he takes a big hit and holds on to the rock.
As a blocker, Allen uses a good base and patience on the end of the line with solid hand usage and footwork to mirror and stay with edge rushers. As a run blocker, he has good technique on down and double-team blocks. On base blocks, he displays good positioning to get his hips around to wall off or kick out defenders to create space. When climbing to the second level he shows good timing and sustain. He was used on slide blocks and lead blocks on counters with solid effectiveness. In space on screens and such, he is overall a solid blocker, breaking down to get a hand on defenders and keep them from the ball.
He gets a good push on blocks to the inside and shows good timing to pick up the linebacker on the second clip.
Good body positioning to wall off the outside defender.
When blocking in space he plays under control to get his hands on defender and sustain.
He was solid in pass protection versus players off the edge.
He was also a core special-teams player even into his senior year, including being a up back/protector on the punt team.
His acceleration off the line of scrimmage is marginal. He does not generate enough speed in his routes or quickness out of his breaks to stress any defender. On all routes, but especially the short level, he is adequate getting his head around quickly. At the top of his routes, he displays marginal play strength to create separation. After the catch, he is marginal in creating and breaking tackles, often taken down easily by smaller defenders. As a run blocker, he has adequate play strength with room to add to his frame. When working across the formation, he is tentative to lead block or take on the edge and can give up ground to aggressive defenders.
He’s a bit tentative on this pull to the right and the defender runs through him.
Conclusion
Allen has good size, solid length, and a thin frame with room to add mass. He was solid versus zone coverage and was effective on delayed routes. His hands are good, and he has the ability to adjust to ball or go up over the top to make the tough catch. As a blocker, he has a good understanding of positioning and hand usage as a run blocker and will likely get even better. He has some pass-protection experience and was solid versus edge rushers. In space, he displays good timing and plays under control to contact defenders.
Areas to work on include learning how to create space more effectively versus man coverage and getting his head around quicker at the top of the break. Creating more after the catch by breaking tackles needs to improve. Adding strength to his frame and upping the aggressiveness will make blocking his strong suit.
For me, Allen projects as a number two, blocking tight end. I don’t believe he has the quickness, speed, or agility to be an effective receiver as the lead tight end. I do think his blocking will continue to improve and he could be used as a secondary receiver with some value in the red zone. My comp for him is a familiar name in Jesse James. They are similar in height, length and speed and were better blockers than receivers.
Projection: Mid-Day Three
Depot Draft Grade: 6.6 Backup/Special Teamer (5th Round)
Games Watched: 2022 – At Georgia Tech, Vs NC State, At Florida State, At Notre Dame, Vs Tennessee
