Giants boost O-line, select OT Andrew Thomas 4th overall

The New York Giants selected offensive tackle Andrew Thomas out of Georgia fourth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft.

New York had its choice of all the offensive linemen on the board and chose the gargantuan left tackle. The team was expected to address its offensive line, but it came as a mild shock that Thomas had his name called before Jedrick Wills, Tristan Wirfs, or Mekhi Becton.

The Giants also still have left tackle Nate Solder, whom they signed to a then-record four-year, $62-million contract in 2018.

Prospect Profile

School: Georgia
Height: 6-5
Weight: 315 lbs

Positives

• Great size and length for an NFL tackle
• Three years of starting experience against top-tier SEC rushers
• Road grader in the run game - explodes out of his stance to get to the second level and has a ton of strength to drive defenders forward
• Consistently wins on reach and down blocks
• Good athlete who can block in space
• Excellent power at the point of attack and core strength to absorb contact
• One of college football's best pressure rates as a pass-blocker
• Has strong punch to knock rushers off their path
• Resets feet during play to combat counters
• Quick to process stunts and twists from defensive linemen
• Natural flexibility and covers a lot of space in pass sets

Negatives

• Footwork in pass protection can be sloppy and requires polish
• Knocked off balance when feet don't match his upper body
• Can dive too low as a run blocker and lose leverage
• Has trouble flipping hips to mirror speed off the edge

Bottom line

Thomas offers production and elite upside that can't be matched. Already a top-tier run blocker, the unanimous All-American is a good offensive line coach away from quickly developing into an elite pass-protector as well. Even though his feet were all over the place at Georgia, the powerful blocker still somehow halted college football's top pass-rushers. Imagine what he can do when he puts all his tools together. With a unique blend of size, length, strength, and football IQ, Thomas can thrive in any scheme as a Day 1 starter.