NBA Postseason Best Bets (5/3)
Alex Christenson
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Tylan Wallace was a multi-sport standout in high school. Wallace excelled not only in football but basketball and track and field as well. He showed off his raw athleticism placing fifth in the triple jump in state as a junior. After entertaining offers from other colleges such as Oklahoma, Michigan, and Notre Dame, to name a few, he chose to attend Oklahoma State with his twin brother Tracing Wallace (also played wide receiver at Oklahoma State). Wallace enters the NFL draft after a productive collegiate career with the possibility of hearing his name called late Day 2 or Day 3.
Tylan Wallace topped 900 yards three years in a row
Wallace arrived at Oklahoma State as a four-star prospect, per 247sports. He loudly made his presence known in 2018, breaking out at the age of 19 (84th percentile). Wallace racked up the counting stats leading Oklahoma State in every meaningful receiving category. Wallace finished the season 26th (among 286 wide receivers with 50 or more targets) in yards per route run (2.88). Wallace was on his way to building on that breakout campaign as a junior before tearing his ACL after nine games. In 2019 Wallace ranked eighth (among 290 wide receivers with 50 or more targets) in yards per route run (3.48). Wallace was tied with Rashod Bateman in this metric in 2019 to give context to the stellar season cut short. Wallace returned for his senior season, and while his overall stat line isn’t gaudy, he finished 12th in yards per route run (3.26) among 145 receivers with 50 or more targets. Wallace finished his collegiate career with a 47.1% college dominator (93rd percentile).
Tylan Wallace strength is at the catch point
- Field stretcher
- Highpointing
- Strong hands
- 50-50 balls
Wallace’s ability to win downfield is immediately evident in his game film. In 2020, he finished fifth in deep receptions (12) and 13th in deep receiving yards (408). Wallace operated as an outside Z receiver on 86.5-91.0% of his snaps in his tenure at Oklahoma State. During his final two seasons, Wallace recorded passer ratings of 110.7 and 115.4 when targeted (47 targets) 20-plus yards down the field. During that span, 35.7% of his receiving touchdowns were on deep passes of 20-plus yards. Wallace’s abilities to stretch a defense can translate to the NFL, although possibly more in a slot capacity (to be discussed later).
Wallace’s ability to win in contested or jump ball situations shows up repeatedly. In 2020 he finished fourth in contested catches (13). His strength at the catch point helps him overcome areas of his game that need some improvement (separation). Standing at 6-foot-0, it’s fair to question how much of this will translate to the NFL, especially if a team pigeonholes him as an outside receiver.
Weaknesses: Tylan Wallace doesn’t have a varied route tree
- Limited route tree
- Separation
- Releases
Wallace was limited in his role and his route tree in college. Wallace played predominantly on the right side of the field and never crested 13.5% snaps in the slot. This is not Wallace’s fault but projecting his transition to the NFL is more difficult. He was asked to run go routes and designed screens on most of his plays with the occasional slant thrown in. Wallace’s ability to win in the intermediate areas of the field while running a wider route tree is taking a leap of faith. Wallace managed only a 54.8% catch rate on targets (107 targets) between 10 and 19 yards while at Oklahoma State.
Wallace’s ability to sky over defenders and utilize his impressive athleticism and body control as a means of coping for some of his deficiencies. Wallace displayed a limited-release package at the line and relied on his speed or leaping ability to win out versus corners. He struggled with physical corners that could get their hands on him or press him at the line. Tulsa’s Allie Green (6-3, 206 pounds) had Wallace’s number over multiple seasons. Green would push him off his routes using the sideline as an extra defender or stick to him like glue throughout his routes. Green was not a top-flight corner, either allowing passer ratings of 105.9 or higher in three of his four seasons at Tulsa. Wallace would benefit from more slot time in the NFL as he expands his game. This would allow him to lean on his current bag of tricks versus similar-sized or shorter corners playing zone coverage.
Which team will draft Tylan Wallace?
- Pittsburgh Steelers: If the Steelers don't re-sign JuJu Smith-Schuster (which seems to be the likely path), their receiving depth chart could shake up some. Chase Claypool logged the second-most slot snaps behind only Smith-Schuster last season. If Claypool heads to the slot, Wallace could compete with former OSU receiver James Washington for an outside role while also seeing some slot time. Washington is also an unrestricted free agent after the 2021 season.
- Detroit Lions: The Lions will be mentioned for many receivers in this class, considering their depth chart's current state. New offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn could be enamored with Wallace's leaping contested catchability and sees shades of his former receiver Mike Williams. If so, Detroit would be sprinting to the virtual podium.
- Buffalo Bills: Buffalo snagged a downfield threat in last year's draft in Gabriel Davis. If they jettison John Brown this offseason, Wallace could provide depth in a field stretcher role as well as learn behind slot maven Cole Beasley.
