“Boston College’s Ozzy Trapilo Makes Strong Case for Patriots to Draft Him This April”
The New England Patriots’ offseason goal remains clear: strengthen a roster that’s been lacking in talent. With the most cap space in the NFL, they still face the challenge of attracting free agents to New England, even with the recent hire of Mike Vrabel. This could once again lead the Patriots to rely heavily on the NFL Draft to fill key roster spots—particularly on the offensive line.
In 2024, the Patriots were forced to experiment with eight different starting offensive line combinations by Week 9, which is far from ideal for a young quarterback trying to develop. Finding reliable linemen will be paramount, and the NFL Draft may hold the key.
As the Reese’s Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl kicked off, the draft evaluation process began in earnest. One player catching the eye of Patriots fans is Ozzy Trapilo, a standout offensive lineman from Boston College and a New England native. In a recent interview with Zac Ventola of Patriots Nation Nightly, Trapilo spoke about the prospect of playing for the Patriots: “It would mean a lot to me, you know, coming from New England, being born and raised here, being a fan growing up. It would be special for sure.”
Although Trapilo expressed that he’d be grateful to play for any team, his clear enthusiasm for the Patriots is hard to miss. His final season at Boston College was impressive: according to PFF, Trapilo earned a run-blocking grade of 69.9, a pass-blocking grade of 80.5, and an overall grade of 76.7. These numbers helped him secure first-team All-ACC honors, marking him as one of the top offensive linemen in college football.
Despite his impressive college performance, the transition to the NFL won’t be without challenges. The level of competition Trapilo faced in the ACC is not the same as what he’ll encounter in the pros, and his adjustment could take time. But with the Patriots’ glaring need for offensive line help, Trapilo could be a strong fit.
In 2024, the Patriots ranked 31st in pass blocking and dead last in run blocking, according to PFF. With several offensive line positions in flux and four linemen set to hit free agency, including Demontray Jacobs, who played the second-most snaps last season, New England has a critical need to shore up its line.
Ozzy Trapilo could be the answer the Patriots need, adding both local flair and talent to a position that demands an upgrade this offseason.
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