Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State – NFL Draft Player Profile

Although the Oklahoma State Cowboys didn’t have one player drafted in 2020, the program has a rich history of sending talent into the NFL. In the 2000s alone, Oklahoma State had three wide receivers selected in the first round with Rashaun Woods, Dez Bryant, and Justin Blackmon. In a stacked wide receiver class for the 2021 NFL Draft, Tylan Wallace may not quite be able to join that group of first-round talent out of Oklahoma State. However, there is no doubt that he is one of the most exciting and productive talents. He should garner early-round consideration.

Tylan Wallace NFL Draft Profile

• Position: Wide Receiver
• School: Oklahoma State University
• Current Year: Senior
• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 193 pounds
• Wingspan: 73 1/2″
• Arm: 32 5/8″
• Hand: 9 1/2″

Tony Pauline’s Tylan Wallace Scouting Report

Positives: Dynamic wideout with an all-around game. Quickly releases off the line of scrimmage, sells routes, and consistently separates from defenders. Tough, does not back down from a challenge, and comes away with the difficult reception. Adjusts to the errant throw making the reception in stride, extends his hands, and snatches the ball out of the air. Tracks the pass in the air and displays outstanding eye/hand coordination. Keeps the play inbounds after the catch and works to pick up positive yardage. Quickly recognizes blocking assignments, gives effort, and gets results.

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Negatives: One-speed receiver who lacks a deep burst. Not a big-bodied receiver and loses out in battles despite his competitive nature.

Analysis: Wallace was a terrific receiver for Oklahoma State who reminds me in many ways of 2020 first-round pick Brandon Aiyuk with his ability to separate and consistently catch the ball. His versatility makes him a scheme fit for a variety of offenses and Wallace has the ability to line up as a No. 2 receiver.

Tylan Wallace Player Profile

A former four-star recruit out of South Hills High School, Oklahoma State wide receiver Tylan Wallace has become one of the most productive players in college football. With 3,760 yards and 48 touchdowns at an eye-popping 20.7 yards per catch for the South Hill Scorpions, there should be no surprise that he would develop into one of the most dangerous wide receiving threats in the nation.

After a relatively quiet freshman season, Wallace exploded onto the national scene as a sophomore in 2018. The Oklahoma State wide receiver led the Big 12 with 1,491 yards, which were also good enough to rank second in the nation. That earned him recognition as a Biletnikoff Award finalist. However, he lost out to the former first-round pick Jerry Jeudy.

Although the Big 12 carries a reputation of putting up little defensive resistance, Wallace has put up his best performances in games against his biggest competition. His career-high of 222 receiving yards against Texas came just two weeks before putting up 220 yards over Oklahoma. The best players turn up in the biggest games. The Oklahoma State wide receiver combined for four touchdowns against the best two teams in the Big 12.

Injury issues derail his 2019 season before returning to action in 2020

Wallace continued to grow his reputation in 2019, racking up 903 yards and eight touchdowns before tearing his ACL in a practice session, prematurely ending a season that was heading towards first-round consideration in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The ACL injury was particularly poignant for the Wallace family. There is a devastating family history with career-threatening knee injuries with Tracin Wallace, Tylan’s twin brother, who suffered multiple injuries to the same knee. Although the injury ended Tracin’s career early, Tylan returned to action at the start of the 2020 college football season.

Despite the disruption of the 2020 college football season — and some minor injury niggles — he was once again a dominant force for Oklahoma State. He compiled three 100 yard receiving games, In doing so, he led the Big 12 conference in receiving yards. Although his 922 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns were some way short of his sophomore season, Wallace was still one of the best receivers in college football.

Following the season, Oklahoma State wide receiver Tylan Wallace declared for the 2021 NFL Draft. His senior season performances earned him an invite to the 2021 Reece’s Senior Bowl. He impressed in Mobile, with practice performances catching the eye of Pro Football Network’s team on the ground.

Tylan Wallace’s best fits in the NFL Draft

His standout touchdown against Iowa State characterizes some of the skill set that makes him a potential early-round NFL draft pick. His ability to make yardage after the catch is elite. He uses his physicality to shake off tacklers. Additionally, he demonstrates enough speed to pull clear. He isn’t going to blow by anyone in the style of a Mecole Hardman. However, Oklahoma State has timed him at 4.45 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Most important, that speed translates to the field.

Wallace’s physicality, combined with his powerful hands, ensures that he is a contested-catch mismatch nightmare. This is where he does his best work. He isn’t going to create separation at the line of scrimmage against press coverage. He will win at the point of the catch, however. His hand skills are evidenced by a low drop percentage throughout his career.

What teams might look at the Oklahoma State product?

Many teams need the wide receiver position in the NFL Draft and could be in the services for Tylan Wallace. The Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Chargers, Indianapolis Colts, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, and Kansas City Chiefs all come to mind.

Of those teams, I have selected him for the Giants, Titans, and most recently the Jets, in my four-round mock draft for Pro Football Network. All three teams could utilize his physicality and willingness as a run blocker. He would provide a genuine boundary and red zone threat that the Giants lack among their current wide receiver options.

For him to end up with the Chiefs would be unfair to the rest of the NFL. However, Andy Reid’s offense would probably be the best fit for the Oklahoma State wide receiver’s skillset.

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Oliver Hodgkinson is an NFL Draft and NFL analytics contributor for the Pro Football Network. You can follow him on Twitter at @ojhodgkinson.