From now until the 2024 NFL Draft takes place, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top 10 picks, all the way down to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Penn State OT Caedan Wallace.
#73 CAEDAN WALLACE/OT PENN STATE – 6-5, 314 POUNDS. (RS SENIOR)
– Great initial punch power to keep rushers at bay
– Has the body control when drive blocking and pass protection to position himself well
– Wide base in pass protection to anchor or torque guys with lower body
– Improved core strength this past season to deal well with bull rush and long-arm moves
– Strong upper body to push, contort, and displace defenders in the run game
– Superb grip strength to attach and not let go easily, moving guys with tenacity
– Absolutely explodes out of his stance in the running game and knows how to operate with a phone booth mentality to drive guys backwards
– Walls off defensive linemen well to reach linebackers at the second level
– Can fake guys with outside hand placement to turn them inside
– Uses high-hand carriage wisely in pass protection to not waste movements
– Knows when the twists and stunts are coming from defenders
– Does a great job of finishing his run blocks to the whistle
– Shows the spatial awareness and vision to pass off simple stunts while maintaining levels with the guard
– Was noticeably carrying a more lean, athletic build at the Shrine Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine that can hopefully carry over to the NFL
– Feet move slowly laterally and vertically in pass protection
– Too many times he’s caught bending at the waist
– Appears rigid in his hips in some of his movements
– Labors to get to the second level in run blocking
– Drifts and oversets too often in pass protection
– Struggles when sifting through traffic to engage his man
– Relies on catching his man as a blocker in pass protection
– Speed rushers win around the edge consistently and use arm-over moves well with him
– Getting to his landmarks and set points quickly enough against speed to not lunge
– Difficulty with ankle flexion to trap rushers on the short corner
– Needs to switch up his punching patterns and strike timing
– Plays with high pad level in pass protection too often
– 2,290 snaps (all but two at RT) in five years
– 40 starts and appeared in 47 games at RT
– Allowed a total of 69 pressures and 9 sacks
– 2024 Shrine Bowl participant
– 2023 All-Big Ten honorable mention
– 2023 Lion’s Pride Outstanding Senior Player Award
– Four-star prospect coming out of The Hun School in New Jersey by 247Sports, ESPN, and Rivals.