The Green Bay Packers must use the 2020 NFL Draft to provide the finishing touches on a team that won 13 regular-season games and got within one game of the Super Bowl during Matt LaFleur’s first season as head coach.
Between now and the draft, Packers Wire will periodically break down one top prospect fitting the Packers’ roster needs.
Up next is Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas:
What he can do
– Four-year starter at offensive tackle in the SEC. Tons of experience against really good pass-rushers. Battle-tested and ready to play right away at the next level
– Absolutely massive. 6-5, 315, with over 36″ arms (97th percentile for offensive tackles)
– So strong. Anchors against power easily. Tossed around edge rushers at times. Can really move people in one-on-one run-blocking situations
– Recovery ability is incredible. Can lose ground or give up a step on the edge but still recover and finish the play with issue
– Athleticism is a plus. Has a powerful lower body and quick feet. Easily meets Packers’ thresholds in the three-cone and short shuttle
– Used feet and long arms to shield the pocket and deflect edge-benders out of the play and away from the quarterback
– Hunkers down and delivers best snaps on third down and obvious passing situations. Gave up only nine total pressures in 2019, per PFF
– Good mirroring ability on inside counter moves. Can get caught leaning and will be susceptible to quicker rushers working off his outside shoulder
– Did tons of down blocking in the inside zone run game for Georgia. Really good feel for sealing the alley or finding the linebacker at the second level
– Instinctual when dealing with stunts and late twists up front
– Just wears down opponents with his size and competitiveness. Edge rushers are always in for a long day against him
– Played his best against top opponents
– Made Notre Dame edge rusher Julian Okwara disappear in their 2019 meeting
How he fits
If somehow available for the Packers, Thomas is an easy projection for the Packers at right tackle. Rick Wagner was signed as a stop-gap option to replace Bryan Bulaga, but there’s a decent chance Thomas is the better player right now and could be an immediate starter, relegating Wagner to swing tackle status. Although Thomas did most of his work on the left side, he has experience and looks like a strong fit on the right side, given his pass-protecting ability and power/movement ability in the run game. He looks like a long-term starter and potential future Pro Bowler. Combining Thomas with left tackle David Bakhtiari could gain the Packers a quick re-entry into the NFL’s group of elite bookend tackles.
NFL comp
D’Brickashaw Ferguson. A rock-solid offensive tackle with insane length and underrated movement ability. Like Ferguson, expect Thomas to be a quality NFL offensive tackle for many years.
Where Packers could get him
Here’s the tricky part. Thomas could easily be a top-10 pick. Great offensive tackles go high, especially considering the demand at the position, and he’s potentially a great one. But how far would he have to fall in the first round for the Packers to entertain the idea of trading up to get him? He checks all the boxes – tape, size, athleticism, pedigree, experience – and he plays a need position. The chance to erase offensive tackle as a need for the next half-decade is an appealing one. If Thomas dropped into the second half of the first round, the Packers would have to at least consider what it would take to move up and get him.
Previous Prospects for the Pack
WR Tee Higgins
LB Kenneth Murray
LB Patrick Queen
WR Jalen Reagor
WR Justin Jefferson
TE Harrison Bryant
WR Denzel Mims
WR Brandon Aiyuk
WR/TE Chase Claypool
LB Zack Baun
LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
OT Josh Jones
OT Austin Jackson
S Antoine Winfield Jr.
DL Raekwon Davis
DB Xavier McKinney
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
DL A.J. Epenesa
TE Hunter Bryant
RB Jonathan Taylor
RB Zack Moss
WR Michael Pittman
WR K.J. Hamler
WR John Hightower
LB Jordyn Brooks
LB Troy Dye
LB Willie Gay Jr.
OT Jack Driscoll
WR Devin Duvernay
OT Ezra Cleveland
WR Van Jefferson