Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Tylan Wallace is entering the final year of his contract, but the team could cut him before he reaches the end of his rookie deal. Widely projected to be a Day 2 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, most analysts believed the Ravens got a steal when the Oklahoma State product fell to the 131st pick in the draft.
After three seasons, Wallace has yet to justify Baltimore’s trust. Despite questionable depth at the position, the speedy receiver has recorded just seven receptions for 67 yards and three touchdowns on 15 targets since entering the league. Due to this low production, Bleacher Report believes that the Ravens could cut Tylan Wallace before the start of the season.
Baltimore Ravens Could Cut Tylan Wallace In Surprise Move
Tylan Wallace the wide receiver has not done much to keep him from being cut. Tylan Wallace the returner, however, has done enough to earn a job. While he isn’t Baltimore’s primary returner, Wallace has experience returning both punts and kicks, notably taking a punt to the house last year against the Los Angeles Rams. With kickoff rules changing to encourage returns, players like Wallace could be more valuable than ever in 2024.
Tylan Wallace takes it all the way for a walk-off punt return TD!
pic.twitter.com/VWBqUd82VN
— NFL (@NFL) December 10, 2023
Wallace will probably battle with former All-Pro returner Deonte Harty for special teams duties. Given the projected importance of the return game, Baltimore could keep both players. However, if they only keep one returner, Baltimore could cut Tylan Wallace. However, that probably won’t be the end of the road for the veteran. Whether it’s using him on special teams or hoping to develop him as a receiver, somebody will take a shot on the former fourth-round pick.
Possible Destinations
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers have the worst collection of wide receivers in the league. As of this posting, the untested Ladd McConkey leads a group of untested youngsters and unremarkable journeymen. Tylan Wallace could compete for offensive snaps with this subpar roster, and his experience in the return games makes him a valuable backup to Derius Davis. Davis was one of the NFL’s better returners last year, but kickoff rule changes should allow enough room for both players on such an underwhelming receiver depth chart.
Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City spent the offseason improving their wide receiver depth chart, yet trouble is already striking. Rashee Rice will face a major suspension and Xavier Worthy aggravated his hamstring. While Worthy’s injury doesn’t appear serious, hamstring injuries can linger longer than anyone would like. Tylan Wallace is far from a proven commodity, but the cut candidate has the traits that Andy Reid likes in his receivers. His return experience proved that he’s dangerous in the open field, and nobody’s better at scheming open targets than Reid.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have a top-heavy room at wide receiver with CeeDee Lamb carrying an otherwise unimpressive depth chart. Brandin Cooks is slowing down and Dallas waited until the sixth round to select a wide receiver. If cut, Tylan Wallace could compete for snaps on this offense while battling KaVontae Turpin for return duties in this offense.
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are doing their best to make life easier for Bryce Young. After bringing in a reliable veteran in Diontae Johnson, the team shot for the moon with a high-risk, high-reward prospect in Xavier Legette. These three will probably provide enough support for Young, but it couldn’t hurt to bolster the depth chart with someone like Tylan Wallace. While he might not bring much as a receiver, he could beat out Terrace Marshall while also offering more on special teams than the LSU product.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints have two reliable receivers in Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, but not much else. Tylan Wallace isn’t good enough to be the third option in this passing attack, but the cut candidate is strong insurance for Shaheed. The two have similar playing styles, and that includes special teams ability. Shaheed will take a lot of hits as both a starting receiver and New Orleans’ top returner, and Wallace could be the right guy to reduce his workload.
Main Photo: Jessica Rapfogel – USA Today Sports
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