Rams just swiped future Davis Allen replacement in undrafted free agency

With the 2026 draft complete, the Los Angeles Rams wasted no time stockpiling free-agent prospects passed over during the three days before. Among their many acquisitions, they may have found a gem in Syracuse tight end Dan Villari, a converted quarterback and do-it-all weapon during his five years of college ball. 

Despite lasting through the entire draft, he previously earned a fifth-round grade from Bleacher Report. Not a bad pickup in undrafted free agency. 

Something else that makes Villari an intriguing fit: current Rams tight end Davis Allen was named as one of his NFL comparisons. With Allen entering his final year under contract, his spot in the rotation will likely need to be replaced next offseason. Enter Villari. 

Villari is one of Rams' most intriguing finds in undrafted free agency

Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead can never have enough tight ends. They made that even clearer by drafting Oregon's Max Klare in the second round. In addition to upping the pressure on Terrance Ferguson, Klare could replace another pending free agent, Colby Parkinson, in a year. 

As a UDFA, Villari won't be expected to contribute off the bat. For the 2026 season, the Rams have five - yes, five - tight ends who will fight over reps: Ferguson, Allen, Parkinson, Klare, and Tyler Higbee. As much as McVay loves his 13 personnel,  opportunities will be, well, tight. 

There is reason to believe Villari could contend for a future role as a gadget weapon at the tight-end position. He came into his own as a senior in 2025, posting career highs with 39 catches and 412 receiving yards. Still deployed in a variety of ways, he also carried 17 times for 55 yards and a touchdown. 

Back in 2023, when Villari featured frequently in wildcat formations, he rushed for 326 yards on nearly six yards per carry. As a runner and a receiver, he accounted for five total touchdowns. 

Villari won't enter the pros as a conventional, block-first tight end. At 6-foot-4 and 243 pounds, he lacks the stature of the Rams' other options. Until he bulks up a bit more, he will be vulnerable against powerful edge rushers. 

As a receiver, he's still learning some of the basics. It wasn't until 2025 that his production really took off as a pass-catcher. Being a former quarterback, his lack of training as a tight end can show up in his route-running.

Nonetheless, Villari has enough versatility and enough time to add strength and receiving skills to make him a bargain prospect the Rams didn't even have to spend a pick on. Even assuming he starts on the practice squad, which seems likely barring an injury, he'll have time to grow. Bleacher Report called him a "developmental project," and that's what he is. 

A well-stocked TE room and a vision for the future? Nothing could make Les Snead happier.

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