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New York Giants 2020 NFL Draft grades: Andrew Thomas joins Big Blue

By Mike Phillips

UNSPECIFIED LOCATION - APRIL 23: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) In this still image from video provided by the New York Giants, Andrew Thomas speaks via teleconference after being selected during the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft on April 23, 2020. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)
UNSPECIFIED LOCATION - APRIL 23: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) In this still image from video provided by the New York Giants, Andrew Thomas speaks via teleconference after being selected during the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft on April 23, 2020. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images) /
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KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 05: Andrew Thomas #71 of the Georgia Bulldogs warms up on the field before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Neyland Stadium on October 05, 2019, in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 05: Andrew Thomas #71 of the Georgia Bulldogs warms up on the field before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Neyland Stadium on October 05, 2019, in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /

The New York Giants actively addressed their offensive line and secondary in the 2020 NFL Draft, which was a smart strategy given their needs.

The NFL Draft was a critical one for the New York Giants, who had a litany of holes to address and a relatively small amount of picks to do that. How did the Giants fare in the draft? Let’s go pick-by-pick and review New York’s selections.

Scouting Report. OT. Georgia. 4. player. 814. Pick Analysis. Andrew Thomas

General manager Dave Gettleman has made no secret of his desire to add some “hog mollies” to his offensive line, and he tabs a key one in the first round with Georgia’s Andrew Thomas. The Bulldogs’ left tackle entered the season as one of the top-rated tackles in this class and ends up being the first offensive lineman chosen this season.

Considering the amount of capital the Giants have invested in their offense in recent drafts, the pick of Thomas makes a ton of sense. Saquon Barkley will be more effective with better blocking upfront while Daniel Jones should have more time to stand in the pocket and make throws without fear of running for his life.

While Thomas may not have as much massive upside as athletic marvels like Mekhi Becton or Tristan Wirfs, he has a much safer floor than those players. The Giants can feel comfortable with the fact that Thomas should become a 10-year starter in the NFL.

Thomas has played both left and right tackle at Georgia, so he can man either spot in the NFL. If the Giants opt to deploy Thomas at left tackle it would free up Nate Solder to move to the right side, which is probably a better fit for his skill set at this point in Solder’s career.

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