The New England Patriots finally addressed their patchwork offensive tackle position on Friday by selecting Penn State offensive lineman Caedan Wallace with the No. 68 overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft.
Wallace wasn’t a player that jumped out as the likeliest option in the third round due to his body of work being mostly overshadowed by his former teammate Olu Fashanu. But he was reliable and consistent at right tackle, and the Nittany Lions didn’t miss a beat on either side.
The Patriots could have more in store for him with the team predominantly needing help on the left side, along with boosting their offensive tackle depth. Wallace’s above average athleticism should put him in position to serve as a swing tackle, if the Patriots really needed him in that role.
The work obviously isn’t done along the offensive front, and the Patriots have more moves to make to keep a clean pocket for rookie quarterback Drake Maye.
Here are the initial reactions to the Patriots taking Wallace at No. 68 overall: