There aren’t enough good things to say about the play of NY Giants left tackle Andrew Thomas. Not too long ago, the massive hoss was labeled as a first-round bust thanks to his not-so-great rookie campaign in East Rutherford in which he gave up 10 sacks. Fast forward to 2022 and Thomas has been one of the best offensive linemen out there.
Despite Thomas’ campaign not even being done just yet, Pro Football Focus decided to honor him in the best way possible. PFF dropped its First Team All-Pro squads, and Thomas got the nod at left tackle. This was more than deserved if you ask us. Not only that, but Dexter Lawrence was a First-Teamer as well for the defensive line.
PFF's First Team All-Pro Offensive Line 💪 pic.twitter.com/acrowOpoII
— PFF (@PFF) January 10, 2023
Andrew Thomas and Dexter Lawrence have been brilliant for the NY Giants
The Giants offensive line as a whole has been terrible this campaign, but Thomas has been the leader for this unit. He has done a sensational job and the fact that he was a Pro Bowl snub is a joke. Thomas could care less about that, but NFL All-Pro recognition will definitely (we’re hoping) be on the way for him later this winter.
With Daniel Jones being in a contract year, he needed someone like Thomas to step up and be a monster for him up front in the trenches. Time and time again, Thomas made opposing defensive linemen and pass-rushers look foolish in trying to get by him for a sack.
"“Thomas was the NFL’s most consistently excellent left tackle this season, racking up an 89.1 PFF grade over 1,049 snaps,” PFF wrote of Thomas. “He had just one below-average PFF pass-blocking grade all year, and that came against Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys. Thomas registered just two penalties all season and surrendered 21 total pressures on over 600 pass-blocking snaps.”"
Meanwhile for Lawrence, there’s nothing to not love about Sexy Dexy. The big-bodied defensive lineman has been a total force for the Giants this season under the direction of defensive coordinator Wink Martindale. Lawrence has given opposing offensive linemen issues all season, and more of the same should be on the way in the Wild Card Round vs. the Vikings.
On the year, Lawrence has posted 68 total tackles and 7.5 sacks. Those are the kinds of stats people loved to see out of the 6-4, 340-pounder, who is without question having the best season of his career. Sooner than later, Joe Schoen will need to give Lawrence a brand new deal. It’s time to pay the man.
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