Colts to host Penn State OL Caedan Wallace on official pre-draft visit

The Indianapolis Colts are reportedly hosting Penn State offensive lineman Caedan Wallace on an official pre-draft visit, according to Justin Melo of The Draft Network.

Wallace measures in at 6-5 and weighs 314 pounds. He recorded a Relative Athletic Score of 9.10. This included elite vertical and broad jumps, along with a 5.15-second 40-yard dash featuring an impressive 1.74-second 10-yard split.

Wallace is an experienced player with 2,296 career snaps, just about all of which have come at right tackle. Over the last two seasons, Wallace has allowed just two total sacks and 25 pressures.

In 2023 specifically, Wallace ranked 44th out of 200 tackles in pass-blocking efficiency and 60th in PFF’s run-blocking grade.

For more on Wallace, here is what Lance Zierlein of NFL.com had to say in his pre-draft report. It should be noted that while Wallace played tackle in college, Zierlein mentions that he could be considered a guard as well in the NFL.

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

With the experience Wallace has, he is a more pro-ready mid to late-round selection than others in that part of the draft, potentially providing the Colts with a boost to their depth if an injury occurs.

The offensive line is in good shape heading into 2024, and at the tackle position specifically, we’ve seen the Colts invest there in recent years, selecting Blake Freeland, Bernhard Raimann, and Jake Witt.

However, the draft is about planning ahead, and next offseason, the Colts do run into some question marks in the trenches.

As of now, center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries are going to be free agents. Meanwhile, tackle Braden Smith comes with over a $19 million cap hit, while Blake Freeland has had his ups and downs in his limited playing time.