2020 NFL Draft grades: New York Giants fans, analysts like pick of Andrew Thomas

New York Giants fans feel good about the team’s selection Thursday night of offensive tackle Andrew Thomas fourth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. Forty-two percent (2,324) of 5,555 voters in our poll graded the pick as a ‘B.’ Another 34 percent (1,903) voters gave it an ‘A’ grade.

Here are the full poll results.

How did draft analysts from around the Inter-Google grade the pick? Let’s take a look.

SB Nation (Kadar)

Grade: B-

The expectation was the Giants would take an offensive tackle here. But did they take the right one? Thomas is considered to be the classic “high-floor, low ceiling” type of prospect. That’s in part because he played a ton of games at Georgia. As it has been stated throughout this draft process, the top four offensive tackles could come off the board in a random order. That’s what this represents.

NFL.com (Reuter)

Grade: B

Thomas is a solid tackle prospect with the length to be a long-time starter. He can play across from Nate Solder at right tackle immediately (where he played as a freshman at Georgia), filling a need that will help second-year quarterback Daniel Jones and star running back Saquon Barkley succeed. Thomas was the first tackle off the board. However, he was not the consensus top tackle in the draft; time will tell us whether he, Jedrick Wills, Tristan Wirfs or Mekhi Becton should have been the selection. Linebacker Isaiah Simmons’ career will also have to be reviewed to see if he should have been the selection.

The Ringer

Grade: B+

It’s no surprise to see the Giants go with an offensive tackle here, but Thomas isn’t the one I expected them to take based on most of the mock drafts I’ve seen over the last few months. It’s easy to see why GM Dave Gettleman went this route, though: Thomas is a game-ready, day-one starter who plays with an understated combination of balance, bend, and power. The Outland Award semifinalist and Georgia team captain brings experience lining up at both left and right tackle; he started 15 games on the right as a true freshman before swapping over to the blind side for 26 starts in the past two seasons. He’s consistent and mirrors well in pass protection and has a bulldozer mentality in the ground game.

Thomas is my second-ranked tackle in this class, and the Giants passed on some premium talent—particularly Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons—but the former Bulldog should slot into the right tackle position from the jump and projects as the long-term starter on the blind side down the road. Thomas never got quite as much hype as the other top players at the position, but it wouldn’t be a big surprise if he were to end up the best of the bunch.

Draft Wire

Grade: B+

Another team that probably wanted to move back a few picks, especially given the amount of talented offensive tackles on the board, but this pick makes perfect sense.

Thomas is the most polished, pro-ready tackle in this year’s loaded class, and his experience at left tackle against top competition in the SEC means he’s battle-tested and ready to face NFL defenders.

There were flashier options for the Giants here, even at the same position, but Thomas is as close to a safe pick as you’ll find in this draft. Dave Gettleman gets his man to protect last year’s top pick, quarterback Daniel Jones.

Pro Football Focus

No grade, but this is worth posting:

Don’t listen to anyone who says, “this should have been Mekhi Becton!” Andrew Thomas was the highest-ranked offensive lineman on the PFF Draft Board, and he has put forth elite production against some of the stiffest competition in college football. In 2019, Thomas posted an elite 92.5 overall grade that ranked third in the FBS, and he was one of the few to produce top-10 grade both in pass protection and as a run-blocker. Dave Gettleman and the Giants got themselves the best offensive tackle in the draft.

CBS (Prisco)

Grade: B+

He’s the best tackle in this draft class. I think he’s the cleanest tackle. This kid’s going to be a longtime starter on the left side. This year he’ll start on the right.

Yahoo! Sports (Edholm)

Grade: B

Dave Gettleman and company select the third overall tackle on our board to protect Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley. Thomas’ issues with pass-protection technique are worrisome, but he’s an NFL-grade run blocker from Day 1 at either OT spot.

Walter Football

Grade: B

There’s nothing wrong with the pick itself. Some say Andrew Thomas is the best tackle in the 2020 NFL Draft, and the Giants have to protect Daniel Jones. I’m a bit disappointed, however, that the Giants didn’t trade down. The Giants liked Thomas and Tristan Wirfs equally, so they could have moved down a spot or two, much like the Lions. However, a shift from No. 4 to 5 or 6 would’ve received less compensation that the Lions should have received, so I won’t punish the Giants as much as I did Detroit.