David Wells (American football)

David Edward Wells (born May 2, 1995) is an American professional football tight end who is a free agent. He played college football at San Diego State.

David Wells
refer to caption
Wells with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at training camp in 2024
Personal information
Born: (1995-05-02) May 2, 1995 (age 29)
Fresno, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:260 lb (118 kg)
Career information
High school:Clovis North
(Fresno, California)
College:San Diego State (2013–2017)
Position:Tight end
Undrafted:2018
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Receptions:2
Receiving yards:-10
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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Wells attended Clovis North High School. He initially played as a quarterback, before being converted into a tight end.

As a senior, he tallied 60 catches for 1,188 yards (19.8-yard avg.) and 10 touchdowns. He contributed to the team winning the 2012 CIF Central Section Division I championship and having a 12-2 record. He received All-league and All-Valley honors.

He also practiced basketball and baseball.

College career

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Wells accepted a football scholarship from San Diego State University. As a redshirt freshman, he appeared in 12 games, mostly on special teams, without recording any offensive stats.

As a sophomore, he appeared in 14 games as a backup and special teams player. He was the named the second-string tight end behind Daniel Brunskill after the seventh game of the season. He had 4 receptions for 22 yards.

As a junior, he started in 14 games after Brunskill was converted into a right tackle. He was used mostly as a blocking tight end for a running game spearheaded by Donnel Pumphrey and Rashaad Penny. He registered 25 receptions for 294 yards (11.8-yard avg.), 4 touchdowns, a 2-point conversion reception and a special teams tackle. He had 5 catches for 62 yards and one touchdown against San Jose State University.

As a senior, he started 9 of the 11 games he appeared in, mostly blocking for Penny. He collected 9 receptions for 133 yards (14.8-yard avg.) and 2 touchdowns. He missed the season opener while recovering from a Jones fracture in his foot.

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 5+58 in
(1.97 m)
256 lb
(116 kg)
32+14 in
(0.82 m)
9+58 in
(0.24 m)
4.75 s 1.61 s 2.74 s 4.59 s 7.50 s 33.0 in
(0.84 m)
9 ft 8 in
(2.95 m)
20 reps
All values from NFL Combine[1][2]

Dallas Cowboys

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Wells was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys after the 2018 NFL draft on May 1.[3] He was waived on September 1, 2018, as part of final roster cuts.[4]

Kansas City Chiefs

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Wells was signed to the practice squad of the Kansas City Chiefs on September 18, 2018.[5] He remained on the practice squad and signed a reserve/futures contract with the team shortly after the season ended. Wells was waived by the Chiefs with an injury designation on August 9, 2019.[6]

New England Patriots

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Wells was signed by the New England Patriots to their practice squad on November 10, 2020.[7] He was released on November 16, 2020.[8] Wells was re-signed by the Patriots on July 23, 2021.[9] He was waived on August 15, 2021.[10]

Atlanta Falcons

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Wells was signed by the Atlanta Falcons on August 20, 2021.[11] He was waived during final roster cuts on August 31, 2021, but was signed to the team's practice squad the next day.[12] He was released on September 14, 2021.[13]

Indianapolis Colts

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Wells was signed to the Indianapolis Colts practice squad on September 28, 2021.[14] He was released by the Colts on October 5, 2021.[15]

Arizona Cardinals

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Wells was signed to the Arizona Cardinals practice squad on October 20, 2021.[16] He was signed to the Cardinals' active roster on November 6, 2021.[17] He was placed on injured reserve on November 11 with a hand injury.[18] He was activated on December 20, then waived the next day and re-signed to the practice squad.[19] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Cardinals on January 19, 2022.[20] He was released on July 29, 2022.[21]

Tennessee Titans

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On August 13, 2022, Wells signed with the Tennessee Titans.[22] He was waived on August 30, 2022 and signed to the practice squad the next day.[23][24] He was released on September 1.[25]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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On September 14, 2022, Wells was signed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad.[26] He was released on September 26, but re-signed on October 19.[27] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 17, 2023.[28]

On November 22, 2023, Wells was waived by the Buccaneers and re-signed to the practice squad.[29] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 23, 2024.[30] He was released on August 27, 2024.[31]

References

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  1. ^ "David Wells Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  2. ^ "2018 NFL Draft Scout David Wells College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  3. ^ "Cowboys' David Wells: Signs with Dallas". CBSSports.com. RotoWire. May 1, 2018. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  4. ^ Helman, David (September 1, 2018). "Bailey Not Only Surprise Cut As Cowboys Trim To 53". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  5. ^ Goldman, Charles (September 18, 2018). "Chiefs add TE David Wells to practice squad, release DB Arrion Springs". Chiefs Wire. USA Today. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  6. ^ Goldman, Charles (August 9, 2019). "Chiefs waive TE David Wells with injury designation". Chiefs Wire. USA Today. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  7. ^ O'Malley, Nick (November 10, 2020). "Patriots add 3 tight ends in one day: Jordan Thomas, Dylan Cantrell, David Wells". MassLive.com. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  8. ^ "Patriots re-sign QB Jake Dolegala to the practice squad; release TE David Wells from the practice squad". Patriots.com. November 16, 2020. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  9. ^ Levin, Jake (July 23, 2021). "Patriots add tight end David Wells to 90-man roster". NBC Sports Boston. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  10. ^ Mason, Chris (August 15, 2021). "Patriots cut Marvin Hall, Rashod Berry, David Wells ahead of joint practices in Philadelphia". MassLive.com. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  11. ^ Simmons, Myles (August 20, 2021). "Falcons sign David Wells, place Ryan Becker on IR". Profootballtalk.com. NBC Sports. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  12. ^ "Falcons sign 15 players to practice squad". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. September 1, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  13. ^ "David Wells: Loses practice squad spot". CBSSports.com. RotoWire. September 14, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  14. ^ Arthur, Jake (September 28, 2021). "Colts Sign Two Players to Practice Squad". SI.com. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  15. ^ "David Wells: Parts ways with Colts". CBSSports.com. RotoWire. October 5, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  16. ^ "Arizona Cardinals sign TE David Wells to practice squad". ArizonaSports.com. October 20, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  17. ^ "Cardinals activate Rodney Hudson, make other roster moves before game vs. 49ers". November 6, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  18. ^ Urban, Darren (November 10, 2021). "Demetrius Harris Activated From Covid List". AZCardinals.com.
  19. ^ Urban, Darren (December 21, 2021). "Joe Walker Finally Gets Call For 53-Man Roster". AZCardinals.com.
  20. ^ Urban, Darren (January 19, 2022). "Cardinals Sign 15 Players To 'Futures' Contracts". AZCardinals.com.
  21. ^ Urban, Darren (July 29, 2022). "Cardinals Sign Veterans Antwaun Woods, Christian Ringo". AZCardinals.com.
  22. ^ Wyatt, Jim (August 13, 2022). "Titans Add DB Deante Burton, TE David Wells While Waiving Two Others". TennesseeTitans.com.
  23. ^ Wyatt, Jim (August 30, 2022). "Titans Trim Roster to 53 Players with 29 Roster Moves". TennesseeTitans.com.
  24. ^ Wyatt, Jim (August 31, 2022). "Titans Add Players to the Team's Practice Squad". TennesseeTitans.com.
  25. ^ Wyatt, Jim (September 1, 2022). "Titans Add WR Josh Gordon, TE Kevin Rader to the Team's Practice Squad". TennesseeTitans.com.
  26. ^ Smith, Scott (September 14, 2022). "Updates: Bucs Switch TEs on Practice Squad, Sign David Wells". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  27. ^ Smith, Scott (October 19, 2022). "Josh Wells Set to Return to Practice". Buccaneers.com. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  28. ^ Smith, Scott (January 17, 2023). "Bucs Re-Sign 13 Practice Squad Players for 2023". Buccaneers.com.
  29. ^ Smith, Scott (November 22, 2023). "J.J. Russell Promoted to Active Roster Among Round of Moves". Buccaneers.com.
  30. ^ Smith, Scott (January 23, 2024). "Bucs Retain 14 Practice Squad Players with Futures Contracts". Buccaneers.com.
  31. ^ Smith, Scott (August 27, 2024). "Bucs Cut Down to 53, Place Chase Edmonds, Rakim Jarrett on IR". Buccaneers.com.
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