New York Giants rookies will report to East Rutherford on July 21, which will provide the very first opportunity to see offensive tackle Andrew Thomas, the team’s first-round pick out of Georgia, in blue.
Thomas enters training camp with the future of his position uncertain. He was very clearly drafted to take over for Nate Solder at left tackle, but that may not be immediate. Rather, it’s likely Thomas starts off at right tackle.
But wherever it is Thomas starts his professional career, he’ll be ready to step in and start.
“For me, it’s kind of like a switch in my head that kind of goes off, because the plays and everything are the same, the technique is the same, but everything is flipped to the other side,” Thomas told Giants.com. “You might be using your right leg for something that would maybe be different on the left side. It’s just getting used to that. But once I get a few repetitions at it, it’s just natural.”
One of the pressures of Thomas’ job will be protecting second-year quarterback Daniel Jones, who was sacked 38 times in 13 games (12 starts) a season ago. The good news? Thomas was Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded pass-blocking first-round offensive tackle in 2020.
Career pass-block grade among 1st RD offensive tackles:
1. Andrew Thomas – 85.4
2. Isaiah Wilson – 82.7
3. Jedrick Wills Jr. – 82.4
4. Austin Jackson – 79.3
5. Tristan Wirfs – 78.5
6. Mekhi Becton – 73.0 pic.twitter.com/YfUsFyu3Sp— PFF College (@PFF_College) July 16, 2020
Although Thomas is not viewed as the rookie offensive tackle with the highest ceiling, he is viewed as the one with the highest floor. And by all accounts, he’s the most NFL-ready of the bunch, which is exactly what the Giants need.
Thomas has recently been described as “boringly good” in pass protection because he just quietly does his job at a high level — there is no flash, just dominance. The Giants and Daniel Jones hope that boring streak continues here in 2020.
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