Key Stat Shows Andrew Thomas Might Be a Steal for the Giants

With the No. 4 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the New York Giants selected offensive lineman Andrew Thomas. The tackle out of Georgia was often not ranked as the best tackle available leading up to the draft, yet he was the first offensive lineman off the board. However, a look at one stat may show that the Giants made the correct choice.

Career pass-block grade among 1st RD offensive tackles:

1. Andrew Thomas - 85.4
2. Isaiah Wilson - 82.7
3. Jedrick Wills Jr. - 82.4
4. Austin Jackson - 79.3
5. Tristan Wirfs - 78.5
6. Mekhi Becton - 73.0 pic.twitter.com/YfUsFyu3Sp
— PFF College (@PFF_College) July 16, 2020

The offensive line of the Giants struggled in both run blocking and pass protection, during the 2019 season. This is why offensive line was the team’s biggest need in the draft. They looked to Thomas to help fill their need, as he was the top-rated pass protector among the tackles taken in the first round, according to PFF.

Thomas had a career pass-blocking grade of 85.4, during his time with the Georgia Bulldogs. The next offensive tackle off the board, Jedrick Wills Jr. at No. 10, had a pass-blocking grade of 82.4.

Andrew Thomas: 92.7 overall grade.

Best final collegiate season among Power-5 OTs in a draft class since the 2016 draft. pic.twitter.com/wwICJTClmZ
— PFF NY Giants (@PFF_Giants) June 24, 2020

The Giants used a first-round pick on quarterback Daniel Jones last season, and he put together an up and down year. Aside from injuries, pass protection was another part of the team's inconsistencies. He was sacked 38 times on the season (T-No. 9-most in NFL), despite playing in only 13 games and starting 12. Thomas, based on these numbers, was brought in to change that.

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