Perry’s Draft Grade: Pats have ‘paintings to do’ with OT Caedan Wallace at the beginning gave the impression on NBC Sports activities Boston
The New England Patriots entered the 2024 NFL Draft desiring a quarterback, extensive receiver and left take on. Project achieved with their first 3 choices … more or less.
The Patriots checked off the primary two bins by way of deciding on UNC quarterback Drake Maye at No. 3 general and Washington extensive receiver Ja’Lynn Polk at No. 37. With their third-round select, de facto basic supervisor Eliot Wolf and Co. picked Penn State offensive take on Caedan Wallace, who is a very good prospect — however performed completely proper take on for the Nittany Lions.
Wolf insisted Friday evening that the crew believes Wallace is athletic sufficient to turn over to left take on, the place he doubtlessly may get started reverse beginning proper take on Mike Onwenu. Our Patriots Insider Phil Perry is a little more skeptical.
Whilst Perry is top on Wallace’s athleticism, he notes the 24-year-old nonetheless is not a surefire left take on like one of the most possibilities who have been picked prior to him previous within the draft.
“Six-foot-five, 314 kilos, 34-inch palms and large 10 3/4-inch palms, that is the ninetieth percentile,” Perry stated of Wallace in his reliable grade of the crew’s 68th select. “He is an explosive mover as neatly, so you’ll see why the Patriots need to spend money on him. His huge leap ranked within the 96th percentile of offensive tackles who participated within the mix over the past two decades.”
“It’s a must to like his revel in. He began 40 video games for the Nittany Lions — all 40 coming at proper take on. So, in the event you have been hoping the Patriots would come away with a lock-it-down left take on on this yr’s draft, there could also be some paintings to do for Wallace.
“… An skilled participant with spectacular characteristics however nonetheless numerous questions as as to whether or now not he can block up Drake Maye’s blind facet, let’s cross forward and give this select a C+.”
It is conceivable that Wallace makes a unbroken transition to left take on below the steering of Patriots offensive line trainer Scott Peters and is the crew’s beginning left take on for years yet to come. However as Perry issues out, Wallace’s variety is a bit of of a raffle at a vital place.
New England recently has 5 choices on Day 3, which kicks off Saturday at 12 p.m. ET.