/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/74122438/2174903817.0.jpg?w=1920&resize=1920,1267&ssl=1 "Mailbag: Which undrafted free agents will make the roster?")
Could Trapilo be the Giants’ next right tackle?
The New York Giants have been trying for years to solidify their right tackle position.
Jermaine Eluemunor held up well there a year ago, and Evan Neal may be able to build upon his play in the second half of the season to win the starting job in 2025. However, both Neal and Eluemunor are slated to be free agents after the 2025 season and there’s no guarantee that they’ll be in New York for 2026.
Boston College right tackle Ozzy Trapilo could be the long-term answer the Giants have been looking for.
He still has wrinkles to smooth out in his game, but he has many of the traits that teams look for in a starting tackle. Could they select him as a high-ceiling developmental prospect with an eye toward him starting in 2026?
Prospect: Ozzy Trapilo (70)
Games Watched: vs. Florida State (2024), vs. Missouri (2024), vs. Michigan State (2024)
Measurables
Height: 6-foot 7 3/8 inches
Weight: 321 pounds
Arm length: 33 1⁄2 inches
Hand size: 10 1⁄4 inches
Strengths
Best traits
- Athleticism
- Size
- Foot quickness
Trapilo is a big, athletic offensive tackle prospect.
Trapilo has started the previous 24 games at right tackle for Boston College, while playing the previous 10 at left tackle as a sophomore. That experience could allow him to be developed as either a left or right tackle for an NFL team, though right tackle might have the shorter development curve due to his greater familiarity.
He has remarkably quick feet and is a surprisingly springy athlete. Trapilo uses short, choppy steps in his pass sets, allowing him to always have a foot on the ground to anchor or redirect. Despite that, he manages to cover a lot of ground with his kick-slide and moves fluidly. He’s also very fast in the open field, moving more like a big NBA center in space. That allows him to be a dangerous blocker when pulling and he’s able to sprint to quickly help his teammates.
Trapilo is a reliable pass protector and a capable run blocker who understands positioning and how to use his footwork to deal with power. His athleticism allows him to mirror speed off the edge as well as redirect to deal with inside moves. Likewise, he’s able to gain position on defenders and seal off rushing lanes.
He’s a tough blocker who fights to sustain his blocks, even when he loses the leverage battle or doesn’t have good hand placement. Likewise, he’s constantly on the look for work and is willing to block multiple defenders on the same play.
Weaknesses
Worst traits
- Hand usage
- Leverage consistency
Somewhat ironically, Trapilo’s greatest weakness is his height.
He has a fluid and flexible lower body, with the ability to bend at the knees, drop his pads, and lower his hips. However, that tends to disappear at different points in his game. It’s most noticeable when he’s blocking downhill or climbing to the second level, and in those instances he can get out over his skis and lunge at defenders.
He can also be a bit prone to letting his knees straighten, lose his leverage, and let his pads rise on longer plays. That can open him up to well-leveraged bull rushes getting under his pads, using his high center of gravity against him, and compromising his balance.
Finally, Trapilo can be prone to carrying his hands low and wide, leading to defenders having easy access to his chest plate. He can also struggle to really disrupt rushes with a good punch and has to fight to win inside leverage to control defenders.
Game Tape
(Trapilo is the Boston College right tackle number 70)
Projection
Trapilo projects as a developmental offensive tackle with starting upside.
Trapilo has all the tools to start at the NFL level, and at times looks like a first round prospect – there are even shades of Joe Alt when his punch lands correctly. His draft stock will likely be determined by just how long teams believe he will take to push for a starting job.
The two biggest hurdles Trapilo will have to overcome is playing with consistent knee bend and pad level, and playing with consistently good hand usage. He has the athleticism and competitive toughness to play in the NFL, he could open some eyes over the course of the process.
Does he fit the Giants?
Yes
Final Word: A late Day 2 value
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/74122438/2174903817.0.jpg?w=500&resize=500,500&ssl=1 "Mailbag: Which undrafted free agents will make the roster?")
