The 2024 NFL Draft class boasts some incredible offensive line talent at each position, including a deep offensive tackle class. Penn State’s Olu Fashanu is a consensus first-round prospect, but teammate Caedan Wallace is also yearning to make a name for himself in the NFL.
What is Wallace’s NFL Draft outlook? Is he a starting-caliber offensive lineman? Wallace’s scouting report holds all the answers.
Caedan Wallace’s Draft Profile and Measurements
- Height: 6’5″
- Weight: 314 pounds
- Position: OT
- School: Penn State
- Current year: Senior
- 40-Yard Dash: 5.15 seconds
- 10-Yard Split: 1.74 seconds
- Vertical Jump: 31″
- Broad Jump: 9’8″
A former four-star, Wallace was the No. 3 overall recruit in the state of New Jersey in 2019. After a decorated high school career that saw him earn an All-American Bowl bid and an invite to The Opening, Wallace committed to Penn State and redshirted his freshman season.
Wallace played in all nine games during the COVID-shortened 2020 season, starting seven as the team’s starting right tackle. He would serve as the full-time starter in 2021 and 2022 before missing time with injuries and as part of a rotating battle at right tackle.
Caedan Wallace is going to have a long NFL career 🐶
pic.twitter.com/6ukZCE8wTY— State Media (@StateMediaPSU) March 4, 2024
Having won the RT job heading into 2023, Wallace started all 13 games for the Nittany Lions, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors after allowing just one sack.
Wallace’s Scouting Report
Games Watched: Illinois (2023), Michigan (2023), Ohio State (2023), Michigan State (2023), Indiana (2023)
Strengths
- Broad, well-built frame
- Good overall athleticism and movement skills
- Good play strength, can overwhelm defenders when he establishes contact
- Can quickly anchor against bull rushers
Weaknesses
- Poor footwork in passing sets, feet frequently cross
- Opens hips too soon against speed rushers
- Overcompensates against speed with frequent oversets
- Waist bender
- Inconsistent accuracy and timing with punches
- Poor pad level mitigates his play strength in the run game
Current Draft Projection & Summary
The athleticism and tools that Wallace plays with will appeal to NFL evaluators, but they’ll have to continue to refine his game to develop him into a starter at the next level.
Wallace plays with overall good athleticism that shows up watching him climb in space and get to his landmarks at the second and third level, and he backed it up with good numbers at the NFL Combine. His play strength, when he can get properly engaged with defenders, frequently overwhelmed competition and earned him wins.
However, Wallace is frequently plagued with technical faults, from crossing and clicking his feet in his passing sets to bending at the waist and poor pad level. His technical faults mitigate his natural athletic tools and must be ironed out.
A move to guard might benefit Wallace in the long term. On the offensive interior, his issues with speed rushers won’t be as pronounced, and playing inside will suit his play strength and anchor better.
KEEP READING: 2024 NFL Draft Big Board
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