NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Syracuse TE Dan Villari

Dan Villari, a former Michigan quarterback, demonstrated incredible work ethic and athletic ability in his transition to tight end at Syracuse.

Villari had a breakout campaign as a redshirt senior. He focused on the details of route running and became a much better receiver. His background as a quarterback brings a unique skill set for trick plays, especially amidst the emergence of the "Tush Push."

The 3-star recruit and transfer from Michigan had rushing touchdowns in each of the last three seasons for the Orange while accumulating 410 rushing yards and 671 receiving yards. He's a multi-faceted offensive weapon whose mentality will be an added bonus to an NFL roster.

Dan has covered the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL Draft since 2019 while contributing for RGR Football. Most recently, he spent the 2025 draft cycle at The Draft Network and is entering his first season in our scouting department.

Where He Wins

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— Has a versatile skill set with his rushing and pass-catching ability. Can do a little bit of everything for an offense. QB background adds another layer to his intrigue.

— Route timing and consistency underneath made him a relief valve for the Syracuse offense as a check-down or quick option. Brings an aggressive catch-to-attack mentality and gets upfield or into space quickly.

— Showed added growth as a route-runner tied to his movement skills in space. Work ethic and competitive nature shine throughout his game.

Areas of Improvement

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— Shows a lot of heart as a blocker, but needs to add power at the point of attack to generate push in the run game. Becoming a more physical and powerful player will help him play through contact as well.

— Still has work to do as a route-runner, finding consistency in route breaks and creating space for himself against defenders.

— Has decent length, but his ability to catch through contact is limited, and he struggles with drops. Improving his ball skills will go a long way toward making a roster impact.

Grade, Rank and Pro Comparison

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GRADE: 6.1 (Developmental Prospect — 5th Round)

COMPARABLE GRADE: TE Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse (6.2 in 2025), TE Tip Reiman, Illinois (6.2 in 2024), TE Davis Allen, Clemson (6.1 in 2023)

OVERALL RANK: 215

POSITION RANK: TE20

PRO COMPARISON: Grant Calcaterra

Measurables and Testing Data

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Height: 6'4"
Weight: 245
Hand Size: N/A
Arm Length: N/A
Wingspan: N/A

40-yard dash: 4.6
10-yard split: N/A
Vertical: N/A
Broad: N/A
3 cone: 7.04
Shuttle: 4.31
Bench: N/A