The New York Giants decided not to trade away the No. 4 overall pick and instead took Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas to protect quarterback Daniel Jones and create holes for running back Saquon Barkley.
The Giants needed help on both sides of the offensive line, so the selection of the 6-foot-5 315 pound Thomas will provide immediate help.
Where he’ll be in ten years from now is unknown, but Georgia coach Kirby Smart referred to him as a 12-14 year starter earlier today on the NFL Network.
Joe Judge is in his first season as head coach of the Giants, and being able to add a consistent, no-nonsense player like Thomas to the locker room is a huge relief.
Thomas was a three year starter at Georgia and served as team captain in 2019. He is a leader that the franchise needed both on the field in the locker room.
The Giants will look to get the ball into Barkley’s hands as much as possible, and Thomas is about as good as it gets in run blocking, haven blocked for Sony Michel, Nick Chubb and D’Andre Swift in his three years at Georgia.
Thomas brings a lot of power to the run game. His power, length and tenacity with a mauler’s attitude should help the Giants on the right side of the line. It is likely that with Nate Solder still under contract that Thomas starts out on the right side with the projection to move to left tackle in the future.