Andrew Thomas is an American football player from the University of Georgia who was drafted by the New York Giants in the 2020 NFL draft. He stands out as one of the most promising Offensive Tackles in the league, with the likelihood of becoming an anchor on the Giants’ offensive line for years to come.
Who is Andrew Thomas?
Andrew Thomas is a 23-year-old native of Lithonia, Georgia. He has some hometown ties to the New York Giants, as his former offensive line coach at the University of Georgia, Sam Pittman, is now the Giants’ new offensive line coach. The 6-foot-5, 315-pound Thomas is an impressive physical specimen, and was an All-American selection in 2019, as well as being a two-time SEC champion and two-time consensus All-American.
Andrew Thomas’s NFL Draft Profile
The 2020 NFL draft was a crucial one for the Giants as they needed to improve their offensive lineup pressure. As such, they chose to use their fourth overall selection on Andrew Thomas, the 4th best ranked offensive tackle in the draft.
The Giants’ expectations ofThomas are extremely high. They expect him to not only be able to protect Eli Manning and Saquon Barkley but to open up running lanes for Barkley and give the team’s offense a much-needed boost.
Thomas’ Attributes
Andrew Thomas is one of the strongest college players to enter the NFL in 2020. His strong hands, massive wingspan and athletic frame have already created a buzz. His long reach was visible upon his arrival to Giants camp and Thomas’s wingspan has been measured at 36 inches, which is one of the largest in recent years. Additionally, his stature andsize gives him the ability to play almost anywhere on the offensive line.Thomas is also very crafty and intelligent, which has made him stand out amongst other tackles in the draft class.
Andrew Thomas’s Playing Style
Andrew Thomas is a great mix of power, technique, and athleticism. He is aggressive and knows how to use his long arms to out-leverage and overpower defenders. Additionally, he quickly drives through defenders to open up running lanes. Furthermore, Thomas has great vision and can identify defensive fronts and strong defensive tackles. He is also quick to react to twists and stunts,recognizing them quickly and resetting to the correct spot when needed.
Double team power.
One of Thomas’s most impressive skills is his ability to absorb and redirect double teams. His long arms make it tough for linemen to get low at the start of the block, giving Andrew time to gather himself, creating leverage and drive forward. His strength and power can also create a push in the running game while his quick feet allow him to mirror defensive ends in pass protection.
Additionally, Thomas’ agility and speed make him capable of turning and recovering if beaten at the line of scrimmage .If Thomas is able to refine these skills, the Giants may very well have the strong, consistent tackle that their offense desperately needs.
Thomas at the Giants
Thomas is competing for the Giants starting left tackle spot and has made an immediate impact at camp. His presence has been felt through a series of impressive block attempts, showing off his quick feet, strength and power on multiple occasions. Thomas’ composure in the pocket and ability to shut down the defenders’ pass rush have been noticed and praised by various Giants’ staffers.
In a recent training camp preview, the Giants coordinator of offensive line Patrick Kenny said, “When you look at Andrew’s movements, it looks like he’s been here (Giants camp) for years. His athleticism and technique are elite,so we think he can help us right away.”
All signs point to Andrew Thomas becoming a cornerstone of the Giants’ Offensive line in 2020 and beyond. At only 23 years old, he has the potential to be the Giants’ franchise tackle for the foreseeable future.
It is clear that the New York Giants are pleased with their fourth overall selection ofAndrew Thomas and expect a great deal from their young lineman. But with his impressive attributes, natural athleticism, and seemingly limitless potential, Thomas seems to be more than up for the task of helping the Giants rebuild their offensive line. While it is yet to be seen how successful he is in his rookie season, the signs are certainly encouraging, and all signs point to Andrew Thomas being a key figure for the Giants for years to come.
