The New York Giants looked like a JV team in comparison to many of their opponents in 2021 and the year-end awards reflected that.
Not only were the Giants blanked in all award categories, they also did not have a single player voted into the Pro Bowl or named an All-Pro — first or second team. And when NFL Network airs the Top 100 Players list, don’t expect to see any Giants there, either.
But there was one mild silver lining and shining hope for the future: left tackle Andrew Thomas.
After struggling for a good portion of the 2020 season due to injury and inexperience, Thomas came back strong this past season. He was easily the Giants’ team MVP and the only player to hold up his end of things on a game-by-game basis.
Few recognized Thomas’ leap forward outside of New York/New Jersey, but Pro Football Focus was not among those with blinders on.
PFF released their list of the Top 101 Players from the 2021 NFL Season on Monday and smack-dab at No. 80 was Thomas.
80. T ANDREW THOMAS, NEW YORK GIANTS
2021 Snaps: 763 | 2021 PFF Grade: 82.8
Giants left tackle Andrew Thomas improved by leaps and bounds in Year 2 — so much so that the offensive line was noticeably worse when he was not in the lineup. The second-year offensive tackle allowed 18 pressures across 517 pass-blocking snaps in 13 games and even scored more receiving touchdowns than key receiver additions Kadarius Toney and Kenny Golladay.
PFF 101 Rank, 2020: unranked
Thomas’ touchdown reception may be impressive in comparison to the lack of production from others, but the real story was his dominance at left tackle. He played like a true franchise lineman and deserved more consideration for the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams.
Comparatively, Mekhi Becton and Jedrick Wills Jr. did not make the list while Tristan Wirfs, understandably, checked in at No. 44. All three were Thomas’ positional draft mates in 2020 and after just one season, many were saying he was the worst of the bunch. Old takes exposed, indeed.
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