The New England Patriots had one of the worst offenses in the NFL last season, as they tied for last with 13.9 points per game scored, and that meant that this offseason had to be one that saw big changes at each position group.
One of those groups was the offensive line, a unit that allowed 48 sacks and led a running game that averaged just 3.9 yards per carry, and one recent draft pick will be doing his part by trying to make a big change in his transition to the league.
The Patriots selected right tackle Caedan Wallace out of Penn State in the third round, and despite seeing all but just six of his college snaps at right tackle, the Patriots are challenging him to not only switch positions to the opposite side but to win the starting left tackle job out of the gate.
Patriots see Caedan Wallace moving from Penn State right tackle to NFL left tackle. https://t.co/01FtzJBZlT
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) May 5, 2024
The Pats were able to keep starting right tackle Mike Onwenu this offseason and signed former Pittsburgh Steeler Chukwuma Okorafor to a 1-year deal to take over at left tackle.
That won’t be the case if Wallace can make the transition.
New England most notably selected its new franchise quarterback in the draft at No. 3 overall in Drake Maye, and the team is hoping his blind side will be locked down by Wallace for a decade or more.
It’s a tall order for a third-round pick, but New England believes Wallace has the athleticism and the technique to make the transition.
Keep an eye out for this subplot heading into OTAs and training camp.
