The Kansas City Chiefs just snagged Josh Ezeudu in a trade, and if you’ve been watching his journey, you gotta be pumped for what this guy can bring to their offensive line. While we were all waiting for a deep dive into his preseason Week 2 performance with the Giants, the news dropped: he’s headed to the Chiefs. After missing all of the 2025 season with a calf injury, Ezeudu’s recent play, particularly in a natural role, is making waves.
The Giants’ Utility Blunder
Let’s be real, the New York Giants really fumbled how they used Ezeudu. This dude was a third-round pick out of North Carolina in the 2022 NFL Draft, and he played everywhere on the O-line in college. But at the NFL level, he screams “natural guard.” So what did the Giants do? They bounced him around, constantly playing him out of position at left tackle and left guard. From 2022 to 2024, Ezeudu played 738 snaps for the Giants, and a whopping 402 of those were at left tackle. Only 317 were at left guard, and in 2024, he only saw 28 snaps at guard. It was frustrating to watch, especially when former head coach Brian Daboll’s staff kept him at tackle even after their depth chart filled up. They saw his “utility lineman” potential and it seemed to blind them to his actual best fit.
Unleashing the Guard We Knew Was There
Finally, in preseason Week 2, Ezeudu got his chance to shine at guard. After the Giants dealt Daniel Faalele to Jacksonville, it opened up some interior line spots. Against the Miami Dolphins, Ezeudu played 47 offensive snaps, splitting time at right guard and right tackle. But it was those first 30 offensive snaps at right guard that really caught our attention. Ezeudu isn’t the giant 6-foot-8, 380-pound Faalele, nor is he the 340-pound powerhouse like Evan Neal. But he’s got adequate size and power for a guard, and crucially, he thrives when he can leverage his athleticism. You see it when he flows laterally in zone concepts, or how easily he works up to the second level. On the very first run of the game, he flowed perfectly in sync with center Lucas Patrick on a double team, then climbed up to engage 6-foot, 225-pound linebacker Kyle Louis. That’s the athleticism we’ve been waiting to see.
The Chiefs just got a guy who, when played in his natural position, can really contribute. It’s exciting to think about what Ezeudu can do for their offensive scheme now that he’s with a team that hopefully recognizes his strengths. Keep your eyes peeled as he settles in; we’re definitely looking forward to seeing him consistently show off that athletic ability up front.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Arrowhead Pride.
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