The 2023 Senior Bowl is quickly approaching, and we’ll have you covered for all of the practices leading up to the big game itself. Ahead of the action next week, here are players that you should be watching. Check out our 2023 NFL Draft profiles for these top college football prospects. And below is a deeper dive on Davis Allen.

• Thor’s 2023 Senior Bowl Preview: Offense
• DBro’s 2023 Senior Bowl Primer: Dynasty Rookies to Know

Check out all of our 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports & Prospect Profiles

2023 Senior Bowl Players to Watch

Let’s take a look at NFL Draft prospects you should monitor at the 2023 Senior Bowl.

Davis Allen (TE – Clemson)

Background:

Four-star recruit who mostly functioned as a blocker in his freshman year (5-53-0), then started to take on a bigger receiving role the following year, finishing with 16-247-4 (15.4). Went 28-208-3 (7.4) as a junior and has made his senior season his best yet, with a line of 39-443-5 (11.4) on 51 targets.

Positives:

Tall with long limbs and a frame to handle additional bulk. Was asked to do a little bit of everything in school. Takes snaps as an inline blocker, as an H-Back, and (usually on passing downs) split out wide, sometimes coming in motion. Good blocker who bends at the knees, plays from a sufficiently wide base and shows some power in his hands to turn defenders out of the hole. Able to come in motion pre-snap and crack defenders in the hole or climb up to the second level and engage. Has enough short-area quickness to handle gap shooters. Keeps his feet moving after contact and works hard to sustain blocks through the whistle; grip strength is above average. Shows a solid anchor when retained in pass protection, although he’s typically running routes. Has a reliable pair of hands and flashes the ability to snatch the ball away from his frame; only dropped one pass in each of the past three seasons. Shows above-average body control and the ability to high-point throws. Came down with 11/12 contested catches this past year.

Negatives:

Still a little bit on the thin side. Not the most dynamic player in the passing game; more of a safety valve. Route tree primarily consists of hitches (when split out wide) and releases into the flats (sometimes on a delayed release, sometimes from motion); many longer routes are complementary clearing patterns for throws to other receivers. Balance is closer to adequate. Not particularly dynamic after the catch; would like to see him run over some of the cornerbacks he gets on an island when split out wide.

Summary:

A solid blocker who executed a lot of different assignments from different alignments and who presents his quarterback with a big target and reliable pair of hands underneath. Might need to add a little bit of bulk and functional strength at the pro level, but has a very translatable skillset and looks like a safe pick, especially for a team looking to play smashmouth football.

Projection: Round 4