DRAFT 2026 NFL Draft: L.A. Rams UDFA Thread

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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
 
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
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.
 
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After watching Villari's highlights, I have to ask........how does that guy not get drafted?

Obviously ...

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... as further illustrated by @kurtfaulk's cruel and hurtful post from earlier on the Rams Starting OTAs 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.
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.
 
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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
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.
 
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That's true but it's not quite the point.

Following the Draft, the Rams signed 18 players.
14 did not get a signing bonus.
3 got small bonuses, totaling $29,000.
Dan Villari got $45,000.

Over the past decade, the Rams have given just one other UDFA as big a bonus.

All that suggests the Rams really wanted to sign Villari.
I hope he can make the team. I don't know why they signed Higbee though
 
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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.
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.