Chicago Bears draft profile: Davis Allen, Clemson TE
The Chicago Bears are going to need tight end depth, and this so happens to be a tight end draft. Would Davis Allen, a tight end from Clemson intrigue the Chicago Bears? Davis Allen was a three-star recruit from Georgia who was able to get on the field as a depth tight end during his freshman season.
Allen was the number two tight end in Clemson during his sophomore year and finally stepped into the starting throne during his junior year. In 2022, he posted the best stats of his career, then went to Mobile and performed in the Senior Bowl.
2019 – 5 catches, 53 yards
2020 – 16 catches, 247 yards, and four touchdowns
2021 – 28 catches, 208 yards, and three touchdowns
2022 – 39 catches, 443 yards, and five touchdowns
Davis Allen 2023 NFL Draft Profile
Davis Allen is do-everything tight end playing a position where versatility is key. He is not catch-first, nor he is block-first, he can provide in both areas. Per PFF, he lined up in-line 48% of the time, and in the slot 43% of the time. He also motioned into the backfield as an h-back when called up.
Davis Allen was not targeted deep down the field often, but he did show soft hands and a strong ability to make consistent catches. His route tree often involved slants, and curls, and was not the widest, but he does a great job of recognizing soft spots in the zone, and turning his body to the quarterback to create a wide target.
Allen will not make you miss in the open field, but he has enough burst to take the open yards when they are there, and he can create enough after the catch.
Like everything else, his blocking is sufficient. He does not blow lineman off of the football, but he knows how to leverage his body, and seal off blocks on the edge. Davis Allen also showed well when flaring across the line as a puller, and also showed well as a wham blocker.
His overall game is not flashy, but he possesses enough traits to be a reliable depth tight end In the NFL.
Would Davis Allen fit the Chicago Bears?
The profile that Davis Allen brings is not going to get him drafted in the first three rounds. Still, in the middle to late rounds, this could be a steal of a player. That is because he could turn into a long term depth tight end that stays on your roster for years. He never makes a Pro Bowl, but you never have a hole at tight end.
For the Chicago Bears, he would be a nice fit next to Cole Kmet. Trevon Wesco and Ryan Griffin are both currently free agents, so right now anyone would step in and fill that role. Still, Allen complements Kmet well. Both could stay in line, and both can move into the slot when needed. Allen can also move into the h-back role, which Wesco often played for the Chicago Bears last year.
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Obviously, the cost to acquire him will matter, and he should be someone closer to round five in range. Still, a quality backup tight end in the fifth round could be a nice piece to add to the offense.