New Patriots: Getting to know rookie Caedan Wallace as he makes return

FOXBORO — It’s going to be a big four-week stretch for the Patriots’ 2024 NFL Draft class.

That includes third-round pick Caedan Wallace, who has missed most of the season with an ankle injury suffered in Week 4. Wallace, who played right tackle at Penn State and was experimented at left tackle this summer, returned to practice on Monday.

Wallace was active the first four games of the season and started Week 3 at left tackle. He could make his return Week 14 against the Cardinals, though he has yet to be activated to the 53-man roster.

“It could be as soon as this weekend,” Mayo said Wednesday. “Today, like I said, this is a big day for a lot of guys who haven’t played a lot this year, Caedan being one of them, to go out there in pads and see what it looks like.”

Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt is hopeful to just see Wallace on the field before the end of the season.

There’s a spot available on the Patriots’ offensive line at right tackle, where Demontrey Jacobs has struggled at times and was benched in Week 12.

“Hopefully we can find a spot for him at some point at the end of the season, as it comes down,” Van Pelt said Thursday. “That’s been our theme throughout the course of the year, getting our young guys some more experience and seeing where we are with them.”

If Wallace impresses at right tackle, it could affect the Patriots’ offseason plans. If the Penn State product looks like a potential starter, then the Patriots could only need a starting left tackle through free agency, a trade or the draft.

With Mike Onwenu seemingly locked in at right guard, having Wallace as the team’s future starting right tackle would fill a major void. He started 13 games at right tackle last season and allowed just one sack and 11 total pressures at Penn State. At 6-foot-5, 314 pounds, he’s an impressive athlete and was clocked at 5.15 seconds in the 40-yard dash with a 1.73-second 10-yard split at the NFL Scouting Combine.

The Patriots haven’t gotten much out of their draft class outside of QB Drake Maye. Wallace emerging as a potential starter would make the group look a lot better.

Get to know Wallace better with our new Patriots Q&A series.

BH: What’s your first football memory?

CW: First football memory is probably hearing my mom and dad yelling at the TV, watching games, because they’re both crazy football fans. And then going to my older brother’s football games when I was a kid.

BH: Top high school football memory?

CW: I had some fun night games. I went to a private school, so we rarely had night games, and so when we did, they were really fun.

BH: Top college football memory?

CW: Probably Auburn white-out (in 2021). I think it was my junior year, beating Auburn at home, white-out was really fun.

BH: What made Penn State so special?

CW: I made a lot of really close, lifelong friends that I don’t think I would have made anywhere else.

BH: What would you be doing if you weren’t a football player?

CW: I’d probably be a philosopher.

BH: What was your major in college?

CW: I was a communications, arts and science major

BH: Who was your favorite athlete growing up?

CW: George St Pierre, UFC fighter.

BH: Favorite movie?

CW: Goodfellas.

BH: Favorite musical artist?

CW: Let’s go TV Girl.

BH: Who have you been closest with since you joined the Patriots?

CW: Layden (Robinson).

BH: Who’s the funniest player on the team?

CW: If not me, maybe Pop (DeMario Douglas).

BH: What’s your favorite thing about the New England region?

CW: I like the food. I like seafood and Italian food.

BH: Who’s a player around the league that’s underrated or underappeciated?

CW: Mike Onwenu.