The New York Giants’ offensive tackle situation is far from ideal. On one side, they’ve got a potential perennial All-Pro who can’t stay healthy in Andrew Thomas. On the other, Evan Neal, a former seventh-overall pick, is looking more like a bust with every snap played.
To add depth, Joe Schoen brought in swing tackles, Stone Forsythe and James Hudson III, this offseason. While that gives the team some short-term flexibility, it doesn’t come close to solving the long-term need at right tackle.
Enter Rutgers’ Hollin Pierce. A local product from Trenton, New Jersey, Pierce has become a popular name among Giants fans (and teams in general) looking for a massive, developmental tackle with starter upside. He’s expected to be one of the top 15 tackles off the board this April. With that in mind, here’s a closer look at what Pierce brings to the table.
Rutgers OT Hollin Pierce 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Notes
- Height: 6-foot-8
- Weight: 344 pounds
- Recruiting: Unranked (walk-on)
- 2024 Second Team All-Big Ten, 2X Burlsworth Trophy Nominee
Positives
- Built like a mountain at 6-foot-8, 3424 pounds, with arms that stretch for days. When he gets his hands on you, it’s over
- Shockingly clean technician for his size. Just four penalties on over 3,100 snaps is no accident
- Brings real juice in the run game, with the power to bulldoze defenders and the length to seal off lanes with ease
- Experienced and dependable, with 50 straight starts across both tackle spots and very few “what the heck was that” reps on tape
- One of the best walk-ons in college football
Pierce is big. We're talking 6-foot-8, 344 pounds, with arms that seem to go on forever. Once he locks on, defenders don’t stand much of a chance. He’s a mauler in the run game, generating real movement at the point of attack and sealing off lanes with ease. His raw power jumps off the tape, and when he down-blocks, it looks like defenders are getting shoved off the screen.
But it’s not just size and strength, Pierce plays with surprising polish for his frame. He committed just four penalties over more than 3,100 snaps, showing rare discipline and consistency. He started 50 straight games at both tackle spots and almost never looked out of place.
Negatives
- Tight through the hips and ankles, and it shows against speed — he struggles to recover once he’s beat
- Lacks true twitch, both off the ball and when asked to redirect in pass pro. Fast edge guys give him fits
- Leans instead of bends, especially late in games, which leads to him getting walked back or tossed aside
His biggest issues show up in space. He’s tight through the hips and ankles, and that stiffness makes it tough for him to recover once he’s beat. Speed rushers who can dip and bend give him problems, especially when he’s asked to redirect or mirror in pass protection.
He also lacks the quick twitch or explosiveness to consistently beat defenders to the spot. When fatigue sets in, he has a tendency to lean instead of bend, which compromises his balance and leverage. That’s when you’ll see him get walked back into the pocket or tossed aside by more agile rushers.
Hollin Pierce NFL Player Comparison: Trent Brown
Primary Comp: Trent Brown
Alternative: Orlando Brown Jr.
Floor Comp: Dan Skipper
A strong NFL comparison for Hollin Pierce is Trent Brown. Both are massive tackles with overwhelming size and reach who win more with physicality than finesse. Pierce, like Brown, can engulf edge rushers with his sheer frame and does a good job staying square and disciplined despite his build.
His power in the run game jumps off the tape, and his ability to absorb bull rushes with minimal movement is a real asset. While neither is particularly agile or fluid, they both know how to use their length to manipulate defenders and make up for athletic shortcomings.
Hollin Pierce 2025 NFL Draft Grade: 4th round
Predicting where Pierce will land is a little tricky. He’s got the massive frame and steady production that teams will definitely take notice of. While he could draw some Day 2 interest, his likely projection as a right tackle only may limit his value a bit. The fourth round feels like a safe and realistic range for his selection.