“Left Tackle of the Future”
Georgia OT Andrew Thomas, 1st round (4th overall)
When veteran OT Nate Solder opted out of the 2020 season, citing health concerns due to the coronavirus pandemic, it was up to rookie LT Andrew Thomas to protect QB Daniel Jones’ blind side fresh out of the draft.
Although his rookie campaign was not without its ups and downs, Thomas managed to justify his fourth overall selection; which at the time made him the highest drafted offensive lineman in franchise history since 1974 when Big Blue spent their third overall pick on John Hicks out of Ohio State University.
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Touted as being the ‘most complete’ tackle in the draft, Thomas started 15 games this season while playing in all 16. However, his top traits – footwork, hand placement, and technique – in college did not initially translate to the pros.
Still, at 6’5 315 lbs, the former Georgia Bulldog managed to remind fans of his ability to topple defenders despite a sluggish beginning of the season. He matched up well against top pass rushers like Myles Garret, Chase Young, and Khalil Mack; proving that his growing pains in the
NFL did not stop him from cleaning up his overall playing style as the season wore on.
Thomas also demonstrated his coachability, which helped him develop into a better tackle in spite of undergoing a coaching change when the team hired Dave DeGuglielmo to replace Marc Colombo as their offensive line coach during the middle of the season.
QB pressure % allowed by 1st RD OTs
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 27, 2020
1. Tristan Wirfs, Bucs - 3.4%
2. Jedrick Wills Jr, Browns - 3.8%
3. Mekhi Becton, Jets - 5.4%
4. Austin Jackson, Dolphins - 8.1%
5. Andrew Thomas, Giants - 10.6% pic.twitter.com/Z6oHFiSoLk
Overall, Thomas is a clean tackle, whose proficiency at both tackle positions made him a safe pick then and a smart work-in-progress for the coaching staff to develop now. So while his game still needs to improve, his fellow offensive linemen do as well.
As a whole, the group failed to support a consistent run game all season, which contributed to the struggles of the passing game. They also allowed a combined 50 sacks (T-30th in the NFL) this season with Thomas accounting for 10 of those himself.
So while it’s unfair for the groups shortcomings to be placed solely on the shoulders of their rookie left tackle, the search for offensive line support will once again be on the team’s radar this offseason.
And for that, Gettleman should once again look to the draft.