Penn State NFL draft prospect stock watch: Caedan Wallace

Penn State offensive lineman Caedan Wallace could benefit from a lack of depth in this year’s NFL draft.

There has been a common refrain among NFL analysts, coaches, and fans over the past few years that it’s hard to find quality offensive linemen. So many teams struggle to put together a solid 5-man unit each season, and it has driven up the price of even mediocre players in free agency. Just look at how much money was spent on guards in free agency this season, and it’s clear teams are not comfortable relying on draft picks to step in early.

Penn State will be sending the NFL an elite left tackle in [autotag]Olu Fashanu[/autotag], but his partner on the right side is looking to make a name for himself as well. [autotag]Caedan Wallace[/autotag] is a very experienced starter with over 2,000 college snaps as a right tackle. He had his best overall season in 2023, forming one of the better tackle duos in college football with Fashanu.

He started the draft season on a high note, being invited to the East West Shrine Bowl. He was able to show the versatility to play guard despite never playing there at Penn State, as well as playing snaps at left tackle. He earned an NFL combine invite where he tested very well.

 

His agility numbers at Penn State’s pro day were disappointing, but his lack of foot speed was already well-known by scouts. Where he stands out is his length and power despite his shorter frame. That length in particular makes it possible for him to stick at tackle at the next level. I believe he has a higher ceiling at guard, but that versatility should improve his chances of playing early.

Wallace’s stock spiked after his Shrine Bowl invite, but he hasn’t been inside the consensus top 200 prospects in months according to NFL Mock Draft Database. I think the NFL will be higher on him with the lack of linemen with his amount of experience, but he looks like a mid-to-late day 3 pick.

Stock: Down