Rams rookie TE Davis Allen isn't screwing around, he wants to play

The LA Rams have seven tight ends on their roster. While that was not the plan through training camp, the Rams are clearly quite focused on the tight end position. Not only do I believe that the Rams will restore their 12-personnel packages that had been so effective in their offensive play book from the past, but the Rams are clearly interested in developing tight ends for the future.

And rookie tight end Davis Allen is perfectly positioned to answer many questions that the LA Rams have about the tight end position. The Rams have not found a true successor to their blocking tight end role since losing veteran TE Johnny Mundt to free agency. Since that time, the Rams seem to all but have abandoned the search, but perhaps Allen can prompt them into reclaiming that abandoned chapter from their offensive playbook?

Allen alert: He's good with or without the football

Unfortunately, he did not have the best of luck in training camp. Rookie tight end Davis Allen suffered a nagging hamstring injury, and he had to nurse that gingerly throughout training camp and through the first preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers:

The LA Rams will likely only carry two or three tight ends on the initial 53-man roster. And with the Rams holding both Tyler Higbee and Brycen Hopkins out of preseason games, the likelihood of the Rams adding Davis Allen to that 53-man roster is not looking good.

The LA Rams have a difficult decision to make over which tight ends to keep on the Rams roster for the 2023 NFL season.

LA Rams rookie TE Davis Allen wants to play Rams football

1. Davis Allen makes a statement: It ain't over yet
2. Rams tight end room is really tight

But it's not all over but the shouting just yet. The LA Rams had to envision the 2023 NFL season as a test bed for rookies who want to make the Rams roster so badly that they are not about to let the opportunity slip through their fingers. Of course, not every rookie on the Rams roster has the ability to fast track their way through the learning curve. But one rookie seems to have a knack for doing so.

Davis Allen makes a statement: It ain't over yet

The LA Rams' offense may very well depend on finding a solid blocking tight end who can also catch the football. Still, the initial Rams depth chart does not hold much encouragement for the Rams rookie. With no more than two or three tight ends on the Rams roster, showing up as the fourth-string is the kiss of death to any hopes to make the Rams roster.

Well, not until you see the type of plays that the guy made in Game 2 of the 2023 preseason, which was his first action for the LA Rams. Like this circus catch:

Now, keep in mind that Davis Allen's forte was blocking, and that continues to be his wheel house. But he has those soft hands that makes a tight end so very dangerous after the catch. And standing 6-foot-6 and weighing in at 250 pounds, he is an ideal size to block at the line of scrimmage against even the most powerful defensive ends and outside linebackers.

Eight for eight

What the Rams desperately need from the tight end room is a solid blocking tight end who can catch the football. Thankfully, that is right in Davis Allen's wheel house. Take note of LA Rams head coach Sean McVay's post-game comments on Allen's performance. He not only cited the rookie tight end's ability to catch everything thrown his way, but also his ability to block and compete without the ball in his hands.

What should you make of that? Perhaps nothing. Perhaps the writing was on the wall all along. But I have to believe that blocking and catching everything thrown his way is worth more than just elevating his stock on the NFL Waiver Wire when roster cuts happen.

Rams tight end room is really tight

The challenge for the LA Rams roster right now has more to do with strategy than practicality. You see, in spite of the fact that the Rams are likely only carrying two or three players on the roster, the Rams contracts for starting tight end Tyler Higbee and backup tight end Brycen Hopkins expire at the end of this season.

If the LA Rams do not extend either player, that turns the entire position over to newly acquired tight end Hunter Long, But Hunter Long has been sidelined for much of training camp and both preseason games so far due to a nagging groin injury. Until he suited up for the second preseason game, rookie tight end Davis Allen has been fighting through a hamstring injury. That is why the Rams' first preseason game featured tight ends Christian Sims and Camren McDonald. But the pair only connect once out of four passes thrown their way.

You can't ask for anything move from a rookie TE

That is what makes Davis Allen's debut so prominent. This is the tight end who was drafted to block. But what an eye opening performance. If he can block, and with his demonstrated ability to catch passes, can the LA Rams really afford to risk sliding him over to the practice squad? After all, we know that the Rams continue to believe in backup tight end Brycen Hopkins, but continue to be disappointed in his ability to be productive when the NFL season starts.

If the LA Rams are truly aiming at competing for the NFL Playoffs next season, their decision is clear. Put TE Brycen Hopkins on the trade block now in hopes of landing a blocker gobbler defensive lineman or a young but effective pass rusher. The future belongs to the young and the bold, and Davis Allen appears to be the future for the Rams.

How good can this LA Rams team be in 2023? If the Rams knowingly have adopted a design to ramp up their competitiveness for the 2024 NFL season, then they should commit lock, stock, and barrel to developing and playing rookie tight end Davis Allen.

The LA Rams have giving veteran tight end Brycen Hopkins plenty of chances. Perhaps it's time to give a chance to a new and promising NFL talent?