David Wells (American football)

David Edward Wells (born May 2, 1995) is an American football tight end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at San Diego State.

Early years
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
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.

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

Kansas City Chiefs
Wells was signed to the practice squad of the Kansas City Chiefs on September 18, 2018. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

On November 22, 2023, Wells was waived by the Buccaneers and re-signed to the practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 23, 2024.