Patriots selected Penn State OT Caedan Wallace with the No. 68 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
This same time last year, Wallace (6'5/314) was considered one of the top 10 tackles in the 2024 draft class. While his 2023 season was a letdown compared to the buzz he was generating in an injury-shortened 2022 season, he quietly played himself into all-conference honors. Wallace’s calling card is his heavy boxer hands that stunt rush progress and redirect defenders at will. This is especially helpful when diagnosing and addressing stunts and games from defensive lines. The issues for Wallace arise when he gets out of control. This often happens against speed rushers when he loses control of his momentum on a vertical set. Wallace handles power rushers with his heavy hands and is able to knock away a defender’s hands when he attempts to convert speed to power. He is probably not the best option to lead the charge on a run play, though he has shown a mean streak propensity that needs to be curbed to avoid penalties. He has a good understanding of the angles that he is assigned in creating, but needs to have the awareness to see how he can contribute beyond the man in front of him. Although every single college snap came at RT, Wallace may fit best on the interior to avoid such drastic vertical sets and instead utilize his ability to pass off defenders.
