New England Patriots

New England Patriots

New England Patriots

Penn State offensive lineman Caedan Wallace (73) prepares for a play during a White Out football game against Iowa Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in State College, Pa. The Nittany Lions shut out the Hawkeyes, 31-0. (Dan Rainville/USA Today Network)

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…

  • Lance Zerlein, NFL.com

    “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.”

    Source

  • Brandon Thorn, Bleacher Report

    “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.”

    Source

  • Dane Brugler, The Athletic

    “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.”

    Source

  • Jacob Adams, 33rd Team

    “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.”

    Source

  • 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.

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