After watching Villari's highlights, I have to ask........how does that guy not get drafted? In a draft where a record number of TEs go off the board?????? The dude has skills. Maybe he can't block?
Highlights
Highlights
DRAFT 2026 NFL Draft: L.A. Rams UDFA Thread
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Dan Villari went undrafted primarily because he is a converted quarterback still learning the technical nuances of the tight end position. At 6'4 243lbs evaluators noted he lacked the size and traditional blocking skills for in-line play, and his overall collegiate receiving numbers were artificially capped after his starting quarterback suffered a season-ending injury in 2025.
Obviously ...
... as further illustrated by @kurtfaulk's cruel and hurtful post from earlier on the Rams Starting OTAs thread.
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BonifayRam
Legend
Ref. UDFA rookie receiver Dan Vallari....Does McVay see a possible likeness to a past former all rookie QB/HB/TE & pro bowl Redskin TE named Jordan Reed (2010 thru 2016) with McVay on the sideline. Jordan was a smallish TE too.
Ref Tyler Higbee....he played 5% of the offensive plays in 2024 & 32% of the 2025 offensive plays. I'm thinking its just wishful thinking to believe TH will have much impact in 2026 going on 34 yr old body when the Rams roster is busting out of the room with younger heathier & talented TE's like Parkinson/ Allen/ Ferguson/ Redman/ Jones/ Klare/ Villari.
I believe the past normal longtime Rams numbers of TE's & WR's carried on the Master Roster should be dismissed in 2026. McVay has been increasingly blurring the lines on those position rooms.
Thinking Rams will have 6 WR's because thats the way it was .....will prove misguided. The back to back drafting of 2 TE's with our high draft selections with excellent receiving skills is a key indicator speaks to me.
...After Adams & Nacua the WR room talent was far below the TE unit.
WestCoastRam
Legend
My guess is that we're watching his highlights and all reports are that he's incredibly raw. Something that's hardest to measure when it comes to highlight reel watches.
I hope he can make the team. I don't know why they signed Higbee though
I still think we'll see 6 WR. The talent of the TE unit as compared to the #3 through #6 WRs is more about that TE talent, than the lack in the other room IMHO. In addition, the overwhelming talent and game of Puka/Davante plays a huge roll too. Considering the amount of 13P we ran, it was like those 4 guys (#3-#6) took turns as the #3 WR.....4 guys for 1 spot. #1 and #2 saw 280 targets. The TEs 150. #3 - #6 87 and the RBs 64.
I’m not ruling it out, but the odds are slim this year. Possibly a reshuffling of the PS?
…but specifically speaking of the aforementioned OL…major longshots.
I’m thinking 5 WRs and an in season addition should the offense need an infusion.
Higbee should retire a Ram. Can't even picture him going anywhere else. The staff loves him, the players love him. Could see him as the next former Ram player to become a coach for the team.
If Simpson surpasses Bennett in camp right away, I wonder if Bennett could request a trade? Obviously Simpson will eventually be the #2 and ultimately the successor to Stafford, but Bennett's only hope is to start off the season as the # 2. If not, I could see him asking to be traded/released. If so, do the Rams go with 2 QBs and a PS QB? Thats one way the Rams could add a 5th TE, plus maybe Villari as gadget guy.
If Bennett were to ask for a trade, I imagine the Rams would decline his request. What kind of leverage does he have where he can demand something like that?
Where would Bennett go? What options does he have elsewhere? He’s not good enough to be more than a depth sideline QB. His best spot for a roster spot is in LA. Nobody is trading for him. Maybe if he’s cut, he’ll be offered a camp spot to earn the #2 or 3 job for a team.
WestCoastRam
Legend
If Bennett has a stelar preseason, you might be able to get a conditional draft choice, however, most likely, you cut him and add him to your practice squad because most likely, he could go unclaimed because of the timing.
BonifayRam
Legend
Stetson Bennett will either get a promotion to #2 back up or continue with the same job as he had last season. Rams are not in any salary cap need. SB as @den-the-coach informed us, had a great 2025 pre-season. SB cost to ride in LA is only $1,319,783.
With a sure changing of the QB Captain chair in full view & SB playing great why is there any need for him to go elsewhere? I see none. Why not keep him right here once again for this teams life insurance @ a super cheap price? Its my impression he will easily earn a MR 53 position.
Is there any reasons to think he has not improved over last season? SB quality is well known since he has been in and around this Org now since 2023. Rams have rather economy options on keeping SB next season too on a RFA tender for this previous 4th rd. selection.
Be extra smart here & let it ride...........
With a sure changing of the QB Captain chair in full view & SB playing great why is there any need for him to go elsewhere? I see none. Why not keep him right here once again for this teams life insurance @ a super cheap price? Its my impression he will easily earn a MR 53 position.
Is there any reasons to think he has not improved over last season? SB quality is well known since he has been in and around this Org now since 2023. Rams have rather economy options on keeping SB next season too on a RFA tender for this previous 4th rd. selection.
Be extra smart here & let it ride...........
I was thinking maybe a team like GB, or another system similar to McVay's, could use a #2 QB that might not have one right now that they trust.
I was also really looking at Bennett not wanting to be #3 yet again after 3 years, even if his prospects aren't much better elsewhere.
We have Stafford. We drafted Simpson at #13. Who cares what happens to Stetson Bennett? 
BonifayRam
Legend
Who cares about Bennett.....?
Your not being serious right?
If so, I look at it differently than most, obviously.
If you throw away a prized McVay well groomed fresh QB now .....then Ram team suffers the Stafford retirement end of 2026...thus leaving the Rams is a rather foolish & pressured situation entering the 2027 season with only 1 QB with 1 yr of experience in a ultra complicated offense.
Would not the position of the Rams be that needing to add high cost $$$$ veteran QB back up into this system? Then add in with all the Rams FA's would most certainly be up against the salary cap?
Question here what would be the reason or reasons be that Bennett might be uninterested in being on a SB Championship team in 2027 ?
The cost of a 2027 RFA Bennet contract for a 29 yr old healthy fresh QB entering his 5th season under contract with the Rams system would be an absolute wise salary cap bargain.
I would care when looking past this 2026 season.
Your not being serious right?
If so, I look at it differently than most, obviously.
If you throw away a prized McVay well groomed fresh QB now .....then Ram team suffers the Stafford retirement end of 2026...thus leaving the Rams is a rather foolish & pressured situation entering the 2027 season with only 1 QB with 1 yr of experience in a ultra complicated offense.
Would not the position of the Rams be that needing to add high cost $$$$ veteran QB back up into this system? Then add in with all the Rams FA's would most certainly be up against the salary cap?
Question here what would be the reason or reasons be that Bennett might be uninterested in being on a SB Championship team in 2027 ?
The cost of a 2027 RFA Bennet contract for a 29 yr old healthy fresh QB entering his 5th season under contract with the Rams system would be an absolute wise salary cap bargain.
I would care when looking past this 2026 season.
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