A contested-catch specialist, Oklahoma State WR Tylan Wallace is still somehow flying under the radar compared to what he likely deserves. In a loaded rookie WR class, where should fantasy football managers value Wallace in dynasty leagues?
Tylan Wallace’s dynasty value for 2021
One of the best receivers in the Big 12 over the last three years, Wallace is a fascinating prospect. He is also someone that feels like we have been talking about for a while despite his age. Wallace was a candidate to enter the 2020 NFL Draft, but an ACL tear ended his 2019 season, leading to his decision to return to college.
While in Stillwater, Wallace earned a spot among the best and most feared receivers in college football. With track speed and an uncanny ability to track the ball, he was a big-play receiver who could threaten a defense on any given target. Although not the biggest in stature, Wallace played with a physicality that could surprise corners.
The 2021 rookie class is loaded at wide receiver. While Wallace might never reach “elite” dynasty value, he is still one of the more talented receivers in this class even though he received Day 3 draft capital. He has fallen, however, given his landing spot to my WR13. Even if he is a starter for the Ravens, the lack of volume along with other options has me very concerned for his dynasty value moving forward.
Tylan Wallace selected by the Baltimore Ravens
This is not great for Wallace’s dynasty value. Not only did the Ravens add Wallace, but they spent a first-round pick on Rashod Bateman out of Minnesota at pick No. 27 as well. Yet, perhaps it is not all doom and gloom.
What if the addition of both Wallace and Bateman is the Ravens signifying they want to be more balanced in 2021 and lacked the receivers to do so in previous years? At least, I hope this is the case. But am I willing to bet on it?
It’s not as if the Ravens haven’t found success while limiting Lamar Jackson’s attempts. In Jackson’s MVP 2019 season, the Ravens threw the ball just 440 times, and in 2020, only 406 times. Both were league lows.
Over the last four seasons, they’ve led the NFL in rushing attempts (2,158 times). During this stretch, they made the playoffs three times, including two AFC North Divisional titles. What’s that saying, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it?”
Ravens WR1s fantasy finishes
Since 2017, here are the Ravens’ WR1s and their fantasy finishes:
2017 – Mike Wallace (WR38 with 151.2 PPR and 10.1 ppg)
2018 – John Brown (WR45 with 143.9 PPR and 9.0 ppg)
2019 – Marquise Brown (WR46 with 146.4 PPR and 10.5 ppg)
2020 – Marquise Brown (WR36 with 183 PPR and 11.4 ppg)
That’s not something we want to attach ourselves to as fantasy managers, but the “talent” of this group, or lack thereof, is hard to ignore. Even for Brown last season, it was not until Week 12 where he became fantasy relevant by scoring 6 of his 8 TDs and 52% of his points over the last six games.
From 2017-2020, the WR2 is even worse (obviously) at WR66, WR54, WR74, WR85, respectively. It’s pertinent to mention these numbers as it is likely what Wallace would be–at best.
We haven’t even mentioned Sammy Watkins, who joined the team as well in the offseason. Perhaps the lack of a passing game was due to the perimeter talent, and we see an increase in volume. But enough to sustain Wallace, Bateman, Watkins, Brown, and Mark Andrews? I don’t think so.
Wallace burst on the fantasy radar early in his collegiate career
After a virtually non-existent freshman year, Wallace made up for it the following year, showing why he was highly recruited. Wallace burst onto the scene as a sophomore in 2018, logging 86 receptions for 1,491 yards and 12 touchdowns.
He had seven games of 100+ receiving yards during that season, including two games with 200 or more receiving yards. As a result, Wallace was a Biletnikoff Award finalist, first-team All-Big 12, and second-team All-American.
Wallace came into his junior season with the eyes of many NFL teams and scouts on him. Unfortunately, he saw his season come to an end in October. In nine games, Wallace recorded 53 receptions for 903 yards and 8 touchdowns — not bad for a partial season.
At the time of his injury, he was second in the Big 12 in touchdowns and led the conference in yards. Additionally, his 17.0 yards per reception had led the nation (minimum 45 receptions).
Wallace returned for his senior season, but the deck was stacked against him. First, there was this thing called a pandemic. Furthermore, Wallace was less than a year removed from his ACL tear, and the OSU QB play was, well, lacking at best. Despite all of this, Wallace recorded 59 receptions for 922 yards and 6 touchdowns in 10 games. He went on to earn first-team All-Big 12 honors.
Where should you draft Wallace in dynasty rookie drafts?
Wallace’s dynasty value is fascinating to me. If you watch the film, you see a guy who excelled in jump balls. Then on paper, you see a wide receiver listed at 5’11” with a vertical jump of just 34 inches. He routinely could stack a CB and burn them, but then he ran a 4.58 40-yard dash. Will he be able to display any consistency with the Ravens?
He is one of the reasons why I say you cannot just be a spreadsheet scout. Watch the film, and see what your eyes tell you. Should data and even pro day numbers come into play? Yes, unequivocally, yes. But use them as an extra tool in the belt and in conjunction with the film. Sorry, I’m off my soapbox.
One of the key things that jumps out is that Wallace exclusively played on the right side of the field. This raises questions on if he can play in the slot or on the left. I absolutely think he can, but there will be some growing pains. The routes are flipped, and once inside, it’s a different tree entirely. Wallace is not someone you would call a nuanced route runner, but he is athletic enough to get the job done.
In dynasty rookie drafts, more polished receivers with far better landing spots should go ahead of Wallace. Where he was a top-15 selection pre-draft, Wallace is now a late-second to early-third-round pick in 1QB drafts. Once you flip the switch to superflex, it moves to a mid-third-round pick as the five QBs would vault him in rankings.
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Tommy Garrett is a writer for Pro Football Network covering the NFL and fantasy football. You can read more of his work here and follow him at @TommygarrettPFN on Twitter.