When the Buffalo Bills took Tylan Grable in the 6th round of the 2024 NFL Draft, there was an understanding that the pick was one for the future, more so than the right now. Coming off of a 2023 season in which he allowed 0 sacks for UCF, Grable was a 6’5” 306 lbs offensive tackle with athleticism and coordination that lacked refinement and technicality. And in week 1 of the preseason, that lack of refinement and technicality showed.
Facing the Chicago Bears to start the preseason, many of the aspects Tylan Grable needed development in flashed on tape. He needed more power to his punches and better placement, he lunged in both pass protection and the run game, and he had inconsistency in his set angles. But he improved from week 1 vs the Bears, to week 2 vs the Pittsburgh Steelers, and continued that improvement in the Bills preseason finale in week 3 vs the Carolina Panthers.
Against the Panthers Grable had arguably his best technical performance of the preseason, utilizing a snatch and trap technique on several reps. A snatch and trap is essentially a blocker feeling like the defender has their weight in their arm(s) rather than in their base, so they “snatch” the defender’s source of balance by chopping them at their wrist/forearm/elbow, and then “trap” them by collapsing them to the ground after breaking contact. It takes hand usage, hand placement, processing, feel, leverage, and timing.
Tylan Grable (68) picking up the inside man on the two man game, feeling him lean with a long arm, and chopping him down #Bills #BillsMafia #GoBills
— Anthony Cover 1 (@Pro__Ant) August 25, 2024
GORGEOUS snatch trap from Tylan Grable (68)#Bills #BillsMafia #GoBills
— Anthony Cover 1 (@Pro__Ant) August 25, 2024
For a rookie 6th round pick who needed development, executing a clean and precise snatch and trap on multiple occasions is a good sign that the teachings of Bills offensive line coach Aaron Kromer are taking hold. While his performance wasn’t perfect, and he still needs to continue to improve his technique and processing/recognition, Tylan Grable showing this level of technical improvement in conjunction with his athleticism should be enough to land him on the 53-man roster.