The Eagles selected Clemson safety K'Von Wallace with the No. 127 overall pick on Saturday, their first attempt in the draft at helping a safety position that is now without Malcolm Jenkins.
Wallace, 5-foot-11, 206 pounds, is a senior that finished with 156 tackles, five interceptions and 15 pass deflections in 45 college games.
Clemson moved Wallace all over the field and it is easy to see the Eagles doing the same with him, especially with their new emphasis on positionless players. Wallace is very good, but not great, at everything — he has good speed, he can play deep, he is a solid tackler and spent more than half of his snaps last season in the slot. He should help right away against the run as he is very capable of coming up and playing in the box. Wallace has enough speed and size to cover tight ends if needed.
He projects as a potential safety net if Jalen Mills struggles in his transition to safety and should be able to contribute on special teams right away.
Here are some scouting reports on Wallace:
Via NFL.com: While he played some safety and a lot of big nickel in 2019, his biggest impact came when cutting it loose as a downhill blitzer, disrupting the run and smashing quarterbacks. Wallace plays with exceptional grit and tenacity. He unloads with everything he's got on hit after hit. His hips may be too tight to hold up in man coverage and he lacks range as a high safety. He's a potential backup safety capable of playing near the line and helping on special teams.
Via The Athletic: STRENGTHS: Quick to key and diagnose, reacting well to front-facing plays...highly aggressive mindset as a downhill player...puts his shoulder into the gut of ball carriers, stopping them cold...negotiates through traffic well when attacking alleys...coordinated feet with a soft pedal...smooth movement skills with functional range...outstanding compete skills, attacking the catch point with urgency...voted a team captain and well-liked in the football building for his motivated work ethic...played both cornerback and safety in college...durable and tied the school record for career games played...WEAKNESSES: Very average from a physical standpoint...doesn't have ideal bulk or mass on his frame...will struggle to carry speed on deep patterns...tends to panic with his back to the ball...aggressively attacks the football, but often makes too much contact before the ball arrives...grabby mid-route, slowing receivers and attracting flags...reads the quarterback well, but needs to do a better job reading routes and sorting through combinations...put some dropped interceptions on his tape...doesn't miss many tackles when in position, but prone to misjudged angles...didn't play in the Senior Bowl game due to an aggravated hamstring (January 2020).
The Draft Network: K'Von Wallace is a versatile back end player who will make his living in the NFL as a sub-package defender and as a special teams contributor. Wallace has the versatility to play in the nickel or as a deep half safety, but his lack of length, influence at the catch point and some uncertain last line of defense tackling may hinder his ability to press for a starting role. At the very least, this is a regular contributor to a defense on 3rd-downs and a kick teams standout. Mid-Round value.
Career Highlights, via Eagles:
- Key contributor on two Clemson National Championship teams (2018, 2016)
- A four-year member of the Tigers who finished his career with 178 total tackles (5.5 TFLs), 21 PBUs, five INTs, two sacks and two FFs in 59 career games (36 starts)
- Tied for the most career games played in program history
2019 HIGHLIGHTS (SENIOR)
- Earned third-team All-ACC honors after starting in all 15 games and registering 81 total tackles (three TFLs), 10 PBUs, two sacks and two INTs
- Team captain who was an ACC Defensive Back of the Week selection following a performance in which he contributed 10 tackles, a sack and QB pressure in a home win vs. No. 12 Texas A&M
2018 HIGHLIGHTS (JUNIOR)
- An honorable mention All-ACC selection who recorded 55 total tackles (1.5 TFL), seven PBUs, two FFs and one INT in 15 starts
2017 HIGHLIGHTS (SOPHOMORE)
- Earned All-ACC Academic honors and posted 36 total tackles, four PBUs and one INT in 14 games (six starts)
2016 HIGHLIGHTS (FRESHMAN)
- Totaled six tackles and one INT in 15 games
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS
- Helped lead Highland Springs HS (Highland Springs, VA) to a 14-1 record and state championship as a first-team all-state selection as a wide receiver and defensive back
- Was also a member of the track & field team
PERSONAL
- Was a three-time ACC Honor Roll selection who graduated with a degree in communication
- Completed internships with the National Football League and Cisco
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