Commanders 2023 UDFA profile: Kazmeir Allen has potential

Can undrafted free agent Kazmeir Allen force his way onto the Washington Commanders' 53-man roster and into the team's long-term plans in 2023?

Making an NFL roster as an undrafted free agent is an intensely arduous task not for the faint of heart. Hundreds of overlooked but talented players go undrafted each year, still earning their way onto rosters or practice squads around the league by consistently standing out on tape in extremely limited reps.

Today we take a closer look at one of the Washington Commanders' undrafted rookies, attempting to gauge their future NFL potential as well as their fit with the franchise in 2023 and beyond.

• Name: Kazmeir Allen
• School: UCLA
• Position: WR/RB/KR
• Height: 5-foot-8
• Weight: 176 pounds
  

Commanders could have a dynamic playmaker in Kazmeir Allen

Kazmeir Allen will be one of the more interesting names to watch throughout the Commanders' off-season program. The undersized but explosive former UCLA star was hand-selected as a priority after surprisingly not hearing his name called during the 2023 NFL Draft, and with good reason.

In high school, Allen set a California state record after scoring an unfathomable 72 combined touchdowns during his senior season at Tulare Union. That same year, he took home the state title in the 100-meter dash after clocking in at a blistering 10.44 seconds on the track.

Allen was an absolutely electric multi-purpose weapon during his playing days at UCLA, spending time both at wide receiver and running back while starring as a returner in the kicking game.
Over the course of five seasons, Allen amassed 80 receptions for 762 receiving yards and seven touchdowns through the air, also taking 68 carries for 550 rushing yards and four scores on the ground.

The dynamic playmaker likely went undrafted due to his diminutive stature. But Allen represents an intriguing developmental option for the Commanders' offense as a moveable chess piece similar to current wide receiver Curtis Samuel.

Like most UDFAs, Allen’s real chance at making the team will almost certainly come on special teams. The small speedster could instantly slot in as the Commanders' primary kick returner after totaling 1,054 yards on just 39 attempts over his past two college seasons - averaging more than 27 yards per return with one touchdown.

The former Bruin has some serious skills but faces a steep uphill climb to make Washington's final roster this summer. The Commanders' top four receiver spots appear to be locked in, as Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Dyami Brown, and the aforementioned Samuel are expected to play most of the snaps in 2023.

Allen will have to find ways to stand out in a currently crowded room, as a mix of NFL veterans and rookie UDFAs battle it out for the remaining one or two spots at wide receiver. If he can prove in the preseason to be a plus returner while also showing flashes of his signature versatility and explosiveness on offense, he just may have an outside shot.

At the very least, Allen should end up on Washington’s practice squad this season as a developmental project with multi-purpose potential.