The New York Giants need Andrew Thomas like a fish needs water. It's not hyperbolic to suggest this offensive line completely craters without its star offensive lineman, and now we might have more insight as to why.
Thomas, forever marred by injuries, has widely been considered one of the most talented tackles in the NFL... when healthy. The unfortunate bit there is, well, he's not healthy often. This past season, it was a Lisfranc injury in Week 6 that kept him sidelined for the rest of the season.
Read more: Andrew Thomas quietly keeps Giants fans guessing with latest injury update
Even with the injury, Thomas’ spot among the league’s best remains unquestioned. In Jeremy Fowler’s latest ESPN article, based on votes from executives, coaches, and scouts, the 26-year-old held firm at No. 10 in the offensive tackle rankings, solidifying his status across the league.
ESPN rankings make it painfully obvious the Giants need Andrew Thomas
Thomas was enjoying one of the better seasons of his career before he went down. In fact, the whole Giants' offensive line was performing admirably before the injury. Unfortunately, that came to an end once he got hurt.
One AFC rep had very high praise for Fowler, nearly calling Thomas the "E" word:
"He was trending into the elite before the injury," a veteran AFC personnel evaluator said. "They were almost writing him off (in New York) early on but he's blossomed."
While rankings mean very little in mid-July, it's still a very encouraging sign for the G-Men. And right now, fans will take any win they can get. With a revamped quarterback room headlined by Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, and rookie Jaxson Dart, protection needs to be a non-issue. For far too long, the offensive line has looked more like Swiss Cheese than a professional unit.
Thomas finished just behind Christian Darrisaw (Vikings, ninth), Dion Dawkins (Bills, eighth), and Laremy Tunsil (Commanders, seventh). His ranking was likely assisted by his elite blend of technical refinement, patience in pass protection, and ability to anchor both the run and pass game at a high level. His consistency, football IQ, and ability to shut down top edge rushers make him one of the most complete tackles in the league.
Still, 2025 is shaping up to be a make-or-break year for the former Georgia Bulldog. After signing a five-year, $117.5 million extension in 2023, the clock is officially ticking on the O-line's linchpin.
But being ranked the 10th-best offensive tackle in football after missing most of the season says everything fans need to know. The talent isn’t up for debate. The only question left is whether he can stay healthy long enough for the rest of the league—and Big Blue—to actually benefit from it.