The Patriots have a plan to maximize third-round pick Caedan Wallace

With their third-round pick, 68th overall, in the 2024 NFL Draft the New England Patriots took tackle Caedan Wallace out of Penn State. In some ways the pick was a 'reach' with most projections having Wallace not going until the fourth round at the earliest. At the same time, a run on tackles left him as the surprise best player on the board at the position at that point.

Part of the reason Wallace’s projected value was lower than his actual draft spot was because of his position. The 40 games he started for the Nittany Lions over the past four years were all at right tackle. For most of that span, Penn State had 2024 first-round pick Olu Fashanu on the left side, so there wasn’t much opportunity for Wallace to move.

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In New England, that could change. The Patriots’ plan for Wallace seems to include a move across the line, which could end up making him more valuable to the team.

“He was a guy that we felt was athletic enough to possibly make the switch over on the left side,” de facto general manager Eliot Wolf told reporters in his press conference following the pick. “Really good pass protector, really took a huge step forward this year as a four-year starter. Athletic, can bend, strong, powerful, tough. He could possibly play guard. We think he could be a four-position guy, but definitely feel like he can play on the left side.”

Not only is left tackle generally a more valuable position across the NFL, it’s a much bigger need for the Patriots. At right tackle they just re-signed Mike Onwenu, and added six-year vet Chuks Okorafor in free agency. Prior to the draft, Wolf had said the plan at left tackle was to play Okorafor there, despite the fact he’s played just two total snaps on the left side in his six NFL seasons.

Whether we’re talking about Wallace, Okorafor, or any other tackle who has spent time exclusively on one side of the line of scrimmage, moving from one side to the other is a big challenge. At guard, the first step is split pretty evenly between inside and outside. At tackle though players almost always step to the outside (especially in pass pro).

Flipping sides means reversing the whole operation, and can be like trying to write with your off-hand. It’s not an impossible skill to learn (there are some very good true swing tackles in the NFL) but getting there is a process.

“We feel like Caedan has the athleticism to play over on the left side,” Wolf said on Friday night. “Really, his teammate, Olu Fashanu, that the Jets drafted was the reason that he played on the right. So athletically, there's no reason why he couldn't make the switch over there. He's a really smart, dedicated kid that we feel like can handle that.”

For his part, Wallace is ready for the challenge. “Super confident,” he replied when asked about his confidence in playing on the left side. “I play every position on the line. I am just excited to get there and learn from some great coaches and get after it.”

If Wallace can master the switch from right to left, he should have a chance to compete for a starting job in camp. After him and Okorafor the Patriots’ tackle room is made up of players who are either primarily right tackles or just are very inexperienced overall. That group includes Conor McDermott, Tyrone Wheatly Jr., Vederian Lowe, and Calvin Anderson.

This is the second year in a row the Patriots have drafted an offensive lineman who primarily played another spot on the offensive line with the intention of moving him to tackle. Last year the team initially tried playing 2023 fourth-round pick Sidy Sow - a left guard for most of his college career - at left tackle before moving him back inside after he struggled on the perimeter.

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On Friday night the New England Patriots added to their offensive line. With their third-round pick, 68th overall, the team took offensive tackle Caedan Wallace from Penn State.

Wallace, who turned 24 earlier this month, started 40 games over the last four years at Penn State. This past year he was invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl after the season.

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All 40 of Wallace's career college starts came at right tackle. However, de facto Patriots general manager Eliot Wolf said on Friday night the team will try to play him at left tackle, and see him as a four-position player.

Does Wallace have the physical tools to do that? What's his upside in the NFL? Here's what the experts were saying heading into the draft...

"Wallace played tackle in college but could be considered as a tackle or guard by NFL evaluators. He’s broad across his upper and lower body and has decent length and big hands. He’s a clock-puncher who plays with better fundamentals and technique than his highly regarded teammate, Olumuyiwa Fashanu. Wallace won’t flash as often as a run blocker and he might be somewhat capped out in terms of what he’s going to be as a tackle. Wallace has NFL size and good body control and should find work as a backup with the potential to start as a guard or tackle."

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"Overall, Wallace is an older prospect, but he's coming off a year where he made a sizable leap in consistency. That suggests he has more room for development than most four-year starters typically offer. With good athletic ability, body control and fluid movement skills along with an understanding of how to play long and maximize his length, Wallace has what it takes to compete for a role right away at tackle or possibly guard, and he has upside as a spot starter within his first contract."

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"A four-year starter at Penn State, Wallace was entrenched as the right tackle in former offensive
coordinator Mike Yurcich’s multiple run scheme. After breaking into the starting lineup as a redshirt freshman, he showed steady progress year over year, including a strong senior season in 2023. Although his kick-slide isn’t always explosive, Wallace stays controlled/squared as a pass blocker to close space and cut off rushers with his strike timing. When his technique is on point, he has the functional movements and strength behind his hands to be a presence in the run game. Overall, Wallace needs to continue developing his consistency, but he is a smooth athlete with a wide base, punch-ready hands and improved physicality to finish. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him starting as an NFL rookie at right tackle or potentially inside at guard."

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"Wallace has the size, anchor ability, and awareness to be a versatile offensive lineman, though he needs to clean up inconsistencies with hand usage and footwork to live on the outside as a tackle at the next level."

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Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.