On Thursday’s first-round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the New York Giants selected Georgia OT Andrew Thomas with No. 4 pick.
Thomas was the first offensive lineman taken in the draft that is full of talented guys up front like Jedrick Wills who went at No. 10 to the Browns, Mekhi Becton who went No. 11 to the Jets and Tristan Wirfs who went at No. 13 to the Buccaneers.
Following the Giants selection, GM Dave Gettleman and head coach Joe Judge spoke to reporters about exactly why Andrew Thomas was the right pick for them.
Gettleman said:
“He’s big, he’s long, he’s strong, he can bend. He can anchor in pass (protection). He’s very athletic in the open field, we are just really excited to have him, and continue to build this team properly.”
“Andrew certainly has a hell of a pedigree, a three-year starter in the Southeast Conference. He’s played against some real quality defensive ends during his college career. He has played big-time ball in front of a lot of people.”
Judge said:
“I’ll tell you what, his skill-set favors his opportunity to come in and contribute. He’s long, he’s a good athlete, he has good short area redirect.”
“One thing that sticks out about him is when you watch the top pass rushers, with the exception of maybe a couple in this draft, they have to go against him. You watch his college tape and he is going against all the guys that you are going to see get drafted in the next couple of days. He does a heck of job on them, you see him compete, you see him play big in big games and that’s important.”