Aug. 12, 2026, 3:01 p.m. ET
The Miami Dolphins pulled off a quick move earlier this week, as they sent a sixth-round pick to the New England Patriots for a seventh-round pick and offensive tackle Caedan Wallace. This move was an interesting one, considering NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported hours earlier that the Patriots were planning to release Wallace, but Miami swooped in and made the deal before the transaction was finalized. Why did the Dolphins do it? Head coach Jeff Hafley explained while speaking to the media on Wednesday. “Sully [GM Jon-Eric Sullivan] and a bunch of our guys were high on him coming out in the draft and talking to our OL coaches, it was the same thing,” Hafley said.
” I talked with Zach [Yenser] and those guys, and he really liked him coming out. He had a high draft grade on him. He had a big smile on his face when I told him the news. The versatility, the ability to play guard and tackle, which we need depth right now. We need competition for those spots right now, and I think he brings both. I think, in our league, often times a change of scenery, a fresh start is helpful.
With the talent that he has and the versatility that he has, we’re hoping that a fresh start will help him, and he’ll come in and compete.”
With right tackle Austin Jackson battling some injuries early on in training camp, everyone saw what the offensive line looked like when Charlie Heck was in, and it wasn’t pretty. Wallace is probably best suited to be Miami’s backup tackle in 2026, but if he can provide depth at guard as well, that would be great.
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Wallace started 40 games at right tackle at Penn State before New England took him in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft. He didn’t have much success with the Patriots, but he only played 40 snaps at left tackle, eight snaps at left guard and 58 snaps at right tackle in his two years in the league.
