Patriots

Patriots select Penn State T Caedan Wallace with 68th pick in 2024 NFL Draft

Caedan Wallace started 40 games for Penn State at right tackle.

By Conor Ryan

April 26, 2024

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With their third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Patriots added some fortitude to their offensive line — selecting Penn State tackle Caedan Wallace with the 68th overall pick.

Wallace (6-foot-5, 314 pounds) has plenty of experience in the collegiate ranks, starting 40 games at right tackle for the Nittany Lions. He was an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten Conference selection during the 2023 season. 

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein tabbed Wallace as a fourth-round target, but New England might have had to reach for a tackle after several other potential OT targets like Patrick Paul (No. 55, Dolphins), Blake Fisher (No. 59, Texans), Roger Rosengarten (No. 62, Ravens) and Kingsley Suamataia (No. 63, Chiefs) went off the board before the Patriots landed on the clock. 

“Wallace played tackle in college but could be considered as a tackle or guard by NFL evaluators,” Zierlein wrote. “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.”

The Patriots needed reinforcements on their offensive line after both Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe were decimated by opposing pass rushers throughout the 2023 season.  Regardless of whether or not Drake Maye starts the 2024 season, New England needed help at tackle.

Even though Wallace was a right tackle at college, he could fight for a spot at left tackle with free-agent pickup Chukwuma Okorafor during training camp. Michael Onwenu is expected to be New England’s starting right tackle in 2024.

The Patriots will be back on the clock in the fourth round with the 103rd overall pick.