Davis Allen showed he can do more than block in Rams' win over Raiders

Los Angeles Rams tight end Davis Allen has a reputation as an effective blocker, but not much else. In his three-plus seasons, he has been good for an occasional reception if the defense leaves him open. In Week 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders, however, Allen proved to be more than a safety outlet, scoring the Rams' first two touchdowns.

Missing Terrance Ferguson, and with Colby Parkinson getting shaken up and heading to the medical tent multiple times, they needed Allen to step forward. Tyler Higbee was only modestly effective. Rookie tight end Max Klare continues to find no opportunities, as he was inactive. It fell to Allen to fill the void, and he delivered.

LA's offense has not exactly been consistent this season. That starts with injuries in the receiver room. Davante Adams will miss an expected six to 10 weeks, and Puka Nacua has battled multiple injuries, already missing two games.

Among tight ends, Ferguson has only suited up three times. Parkinson has already missed a game and was forced to the sidelines multiple times against the Raiders. Availability has been a roster-wide problem.

Davis Allen was an unexpected hero in Rams' Week 7 win

There seems to be another consistent theme running throughout the Rams roster. LA has accumulated talented players whose greatest challenge is getting enough work in to make a difference. Allen is one such example.

Now in Year 4, Allen has been targeted a mere 71 times, catching 50 passes for 425 yards and six touchdowns. That's a catch rate of over 70 percent. And yet, he has only been targeted 14 times this season.

Over the course of his career, he has only cracked 100 receiving yards once in a season. with his two-score performance in Week 7, he now has two seasons with multiple touchdowns.

Allen can catch passes. As a rookie, he converted 10 of 11 targets. The thing is, he is simply too effective as a blocker to use him frequently as a receiver. Ever since the team parted ways with now-Eagles blocking tight end Johnny Mundt, Allen has been the guy called upon to seal the edge.

And he delivers.

The same may be true of Klare, if he ever gets his opportunity. For now, LA fans will be content with Allen. He is not as skilled as Ferguson, much less Adams, but he was certainly effective catching passes in Week 7.

As always, thanks for reading.

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