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Which 5 NY Giants are most vital to the offense?

By David Solow

New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) celebrates the Giants' first win of the season over the Washington Football Team, 20-19, at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in East Rutherford.Nyg Vs Was
New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) celebrates the Giants' first win of the season over the Washington Football Team, 20-19, at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in East Rutherford.Nyg Vs Was /
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Andrew Thomas #78 of the New York Giants  (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
Andrew Thomas #78 of the New York Giants  (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

NY Giants’ 2nd Most Essential Offensive Player: Andrew Thomas

Position: Left Tackle

Positional Value: Tier 2

What makes him a great player?: 

Andrew Thomas was a top-5 pick in the last year’s draft for a reason. Thomas was rated by PFF as the best draft-eligible offensive lineman in 2019. He dominated against the best competition in the SEC. Thomas’ greatest strength is his run blocking and blowing open lanes for the running back.

Thomas (along with NY Giants’ third-rounder Matt Peart) had the longest arms of the offensive tackles in the 2020 draft.  Gettleman’s type at offensive tackle is a guy with enough length to recover if he gets beat with an initial move. After struggling with technique at the start of his rookie season, Thomas finished 2020 strong and is one of the biggest reasons the NY Giants finished the season 5-3 in the last eight games.

How would the NY Giants fare without him?

The team’s biggest weakness (offensive line) would become an even bigger weakness. Matt Peart and Nate Solder would be the two starting tackles in Thomas’s absence. Despite Solder being the most expensive Hog Molly on the roster, it would not be a good thing if he was the one to protect Daniel Jones’ blindside.

Solder opted out in 2020. But, Solder allowed a season-high 57 pressure in 2019 as the NY Giants’ left tackle.

The offense would miss Thomas’ run blocking on the left side. Despite struggling in the team’s final preseason game vs. the Patriots, Thomas is much better than Solder at this point. The downgrade from Thomas to Solder would be significant, and Daniel Jones hasn’t proven he could excel with a below-average blindside protector.

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